THE development allocations provided to Penang by the current Federal Government should not be questioned, as the state has consistently made significant contributions to the nation’s economy, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Chow said there was no need to repeat statistics published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), as Penang’s economic performance speaks for itself.
“We have attracted billions of ringgit in foreign direct investment (FDI). Penang is the country’s leading exporting state, contributing about 40% of Malaysia’s total exports, placing us at the top nationally.
“We are also the leading state for medical tourism, among many other sectors that contribute substantially to the country’s tax revenue.
“Under the previous Federal administration, Penang did not receive the attention it deserved, while other states were allocated far more despite contributing less,” he told reporters.
He was responding to recent remarks by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who claimed that the Federal Government had been unfair in distributing development allocations following its approval of approximately RM16 billion for the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
Chow said Penang is grateful that the Federal Government has approved several major infrastructure projects over the past two to three years.
“For a very long time, Penang was not considered for the implementation of major infrastructure projects, such as the Penang LRT Mutiara Line, the Penang International Airport expansion, and the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway.
“We are thankful that these projects have finally been approved.
“I believe these approvals are in line with what I have consistently highlighted over the years that Penang has not received sufficient development allocations.
“Furthermore, the state government does not have the financial capacity to undertake multi-billion-ringgit projects of this scale on its own.
“These projects are essential to enable Penang to address its existing challenges and further strengthen the state’s position so that we can continue playing a vital role in Malaysia’s economic development,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Siew Chia En