THE Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) will need to clarify its plan for the Penang ferry service, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
“We read from the news that PPSB was ‘shocked’ by the statement from the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
“I believe that the PPSB will need some time to obtain further instructions from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) or MoF.
“PPSB will have to clarify if the interim plan will proceed as usual or otherwise,” Chow replied a journalist during a press conference at his office in Komtar today.
Chow said: “When PPC and PPSB briefed the Penang executive council (exco) on their proposal to run the catamaran service and the interim plan, we asked them to convey Penang’s position on the matter to MoT. The state government wants the MoT to reconsider its decision of not continuing with the iconic and heritage ferries.”
Replying to a question by a journalist on whether the Federal Government was ‘bullying’ the people of Penang when allocations that were previously allocated being withdrawn, and whether will that affect the state’s economy, Chow said he would reiterate the contributions and position of Penang whenever he has a meeting with the Federal Government.
“Penang can do better if it has the support of the Federal Government; in approving projects, giving guarantees and others.
“That is our representation to the Federal Government. As the Federal Government recognises the state’s contribution to the development of the (nation’s) economy, it should also recognise that Penang needs projects and funds to carry out its plans.
“Supporting Penang is also supporting Malaysia. We have never negated or denied that the Federal Government gives allocation to Penang every year under the Malaysia Plan; but sometimes what was given was less than what was needed,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Chan Kok Kuan