THE Penang government is stepping up efforts to empower young people, strengthen sports development and improve public healthcare through various initiatives and allocations outlined in its Budget 2027.
A key initiative is the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint (2026-2030), implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy to develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent from primary to secondary school.
The initiative targets students in rural and low-income communities, with Tech Dome Penang, Penang STEM and the Penang Science Cluster (PSC) involved in its implementation.
The pilot project comprises four key components: IGNITE: STEM Education for the Younger Generation; IGNITE: MathQuest; EMBED: AI-On-Wheels; and EMBED: Technical Skill Learning.
When tabling the budget, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (PH-Padang Kota) said the initiative was designed to develop STEM talent systematically and continuously, from primary to secondary school, for students from rural areas and low-income communities.
“For 2027, the state government will allocate RM850,000 to Tech Dome Penang and RM700,000 to Penang STEM to support the initiative,” Chow said.
At the tertiary education and employment levels, the Penang Chip Design Academy, under the Penang Silicon Design@5KM+ ecosystem, is helping to build a skilled workforce for the semiconductor industry.
As of early September 2026, 675 graduates and industry workers had undergone training in critical chip design disciplines, including physical design, design verification, custom layout and analogue circuit design.
“The programme has recorded an employment placement rate of 85%,” Chow said.
He added that the state is also seeking to attract skilled workers and retain local talent through the Penang Talent Focus Group, launched on June 9, 2026, under the My Penang, My Workplace initiative.
Its priorities for 2027 include strengthening industry-academia collaboration, connecting talent with career opportunities and promoting knowledge sharing in human resource management.
Sports development and infrastructure
Penang will be one of the four host clusters for the SEA Games 2027, alongside Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Sarawak.
Six sports will be contested in Penang – sepak takraw, snooker and billiards, judo, boxing, table tennis and floorball.
“The state government has set aside RM15 million for the event, with funding to be channelled in stages to the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) in 2026 and 2027,” Chow said.
In addition, the state government will allocate RM2.8 million in 2027 to strengthen youth development and empower youth organisations as strategic partners.
Of this amount, RM1.5 million will be channelled to the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), while RM1.3 million will go to the Penang Youth Committee (JBPP).
“Currently, JBPP has 384 members across the state’s constituencies, supported by 10,976 youth volunteers who contribute to the implementation of youth development initiatives,” Chow said.
Healthcare infrastructure and services
Meanwhile, healthcare infrastructure in Penang will be enhanced through the completion of two major developments at Penang Hospital (HPP) in 2027.
These include the new Stem Cell Service Centre block, valued at RM32.29 million, and the Women and Children’s block, valued at RM247.65 million.
To complement these developments, the Penang government will allocate RM213,000 to the State Executive Council (MMK) Committee for Health to support health programmes and initiatives, including those organised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The allocation aims to improve healthcare access and promote public well-being across Penang.
Story by Ammar Mikhail Aamer
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis