CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow thanked Penangites for their support as the state recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5% last year.
He said the state managed to achieve a slightly better GDP than the national GDP of 4.7% due to the good contribution of the Penang people and their cooperation with the authorities.
“In Penang, we’re lucky that we’re not a new government. We’re into our third term. For the past 10 years, we’ve laid a foundation that has enabled us to overcome basic issues that restricted the growth of Penang prior to 2008,” Chow said in his speech at the Taman Lalulintas Chinese New Year open house in Lebuhraya Bohdi today.
“We pledge to work very hard with the mandate given to us to bring Penang up to the next level of development. So, I came up with the Penang2030 vision as a guiding principle for the future.
“We hope to see a more stable, more sustainable green, smart and liveable city. We also hope to see improvement to basic infrastructures, especially the Penang Transport Master Plan.”
About 300 residents of Taman Lalulintas and nearby areas attended the open house. Also present were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, MPKK (Village Community Management Council) Taman Trafik chairman Ong Lin Teong, secretary Alan Lim Wei Lun, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillors Wong Yuee Harng and Gerald Mak Mun Keong.
Chow also attributed the national GDP growth last year to the support of the people who voted a change in the Federal Government for the first time in 60 years.
“The new government has been in place for nine months and they have been working very hard to overcome the financial issues they faced before the 14th General Election.
“I’m happy to note that despite the world economic uncertainties, Malaysia continues to enjoy growth of 4.7% GDP as compared to neighbouring countries which achieved between 2% and 4% growth.
“Under the new government, we can overcome the economic and financial constraints with the right policy and implementation in the next three years for a full recovery.”
Chow wished everyone present a prosperous year, adding that the simple celebration was an occasion for the residents to meet the leaders and elected representative. He said the MPKK was to assist the local councils in addressing any issues faced by the community.
Chow, together with Teh, Ong, Lim and Wong, later distributed angpows to some members of the P.B.A. Senior Citizens’ Home, Cheshire Home and Sekolah Kanak-kanak Terencat Akal Datuk Keramat.
They also handed out mandarin oranges to the residents present.
As Chow was about to leave the place for another function, a group of sepaktakraw players in the playground called out to him. Chow sportingly went over and obliged them by having a group photograph taken.
Earlier, Teh, in his speech, thanked the residents for their support to the state government.
He said last year, the state government introduced the Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT – part two) free bus service for the benefit of the residents there too, with stops at Anson Road Market, Penang Buddhist Association and Salvation Army.
Teh added that the upgrading of the Anson Road Market would be done in phases either this year or early next year due to problems in relocating the traders.
He said roads in Taman Lalulintas would be resurfaced this year as the MBPP had approved his request.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud