THE Penang government has extended its deepest appreciation to the Federal Government for the various projects and initiatives announced under Budget 2026, many of which will directly benefit the people of the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said nearly half of the priority projects proposed by the state government under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) have been approved and included in the latest federal budget.
“Meanwhile, for projects that have not yet been approved, they remain part of our continuous effort and struggle to seek inclusion in future budgets.
“Some may also be incorporated into the Federal Government’s next Rolling Plan. It’s an ongoing process because the national budget is limited, and each state has its own priorities, so we fully understand the situation faced by the Federal Government.
“Nevertheless, we are very thankful for the projects that have been approved,” Chow told reporters today.
He also suggested that the Federal Government engage state administrations in the early stages of planning for future budgets.
“I would like to propose that the Federal Government request each state to prepare a shortlist of priority projects that can be implemented immediately.
“This would ensure that every state has direct input into the next national budget,” he added.
Yesterday (Oct 10), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled Budget 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat, which aims to consolidate and optimise national resources, including funds from government-linked investment companies (GLICs), federal statutory bodies, and Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc.) entities.
The total public expenditure is set at RM470 billion, an increase from RM452 billion in the previous year, comprising RM338.2 billion in operating expenditure, RM81 billion in development expenditure, and RM30 billion in GLIC investments.
For Penang, key projects approved under Budget 2026 include the widening of the North-South Expressway from the Juru Toll Plaza to the Sungai Dua Toll Plaza to help ease traffic congestion in the area.
Other approved projects include:
- Construction of the Kubang Semang Health Clinic
- Development of an Integrated Health Complex in Seberang Perai Tengah
- Upgrading of raw water intake points at Titi Kerawang and Teluk Awak
- Installation of raw water pipelines to the Teluk Bahang Dam
- Upgrading of the Bertam Sports Complex in Kepala Batas
- Construction of an underground passage linking Jalan Mount Erskine to Jalan Burma, including junction improvements at Jalan Mount Erskine, Jalan Gottlieb, Jalan Burma, and Jalan Bagan Jermal.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Law Suun Ting