THE long-awaited Komtar-Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (BL LRT) project is among the priority projects submitted by the Penang government to be considered in the revised national Budget 2023.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state hoped that the BL LRT, including other priority projects, would be considered when the national Budget 2023 is retabled on Feb 24.
“We hope that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will appreciate the state’s contribution to the nation (by approving our priority projects),” Chow told a press conference during the Padang Kota Chinese New Year Open House at Lee Kongsi today.
Chow also shared that, many state and Federal agencies, including the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), had submitted several proposals for consideration.
He said the proposed projects were not only for the benefit of Penang but for the entire northern region.
He added that NCIA had also proposed a new expressway in Penang.
“The development authority (NCIA) told me that it is submitting a proposal for an elevated highway project from Juru to Sungai Dua, to curb traffic congestion in the area.
“We understand that we may not be getting all the proposed projects. On an important note, those proposed projects are ‘priority projects’ that can bring positive impact to the development of the northern region and Penang,” Chow said.
Separately, Chow said the Penang Pakatan Harapan had (previously) mulled holding the six state elections in the peninsula simultaneously.
“There was a discussion to standardise the date for the state polls in states under the administration of Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional.
“Preferably, the state polls should be held on the same date,” he said.
Chow added that a Conference of Rulers and a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Menteris Besar and the Chief Ministers would be held one week before the tabling of the national Budget 2023 (to discuss the matter).
The Pakatan Harapan-led Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan; and PAS-led Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah did not hold their state elections together with the 15th General Election (GE15) last November and will have to hold their polls this year.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad