VISION2030 – the brainchild of Penang's fifth chief minister—will arrive in the form of a festival on September 21-22 in Komtar, George Town.
Chow Kon Yeow, who has up five more years before his second term as chief minister ends, envisioned the blueprint to power Penang ahead as a leading state in the country.
Launched in 2018, Vision2030 represents Penang's aspiration to become a developed state, with emphasis on family, sustainability, inclusivity, and tech-driven economic growth.
The festival will have the theme of family, green, and tech, and offer the chance to visit the Penang Island City Council's CCTV control room and the chief minister's office at Level 28 of Komtar.
"The public can see how the state is administered up close as Komtar will open its doors to them," said Chow.
Although critics have questioned the relevance and effectiveness of Vision2030, the branding and marketing of it are evident throughout Penang. A government unit has been set up for the task of realising Vision2030 goals.
But Vision2030 has failed to take root in the mainland, where Perikatan Nasional holds seven of the 11 state seats, said Rahmad Isahak, a Malay activist and former DAP member.
Rahmad said the state's chief ministers have tended to focus on the island even though the majority of the state's population now resides on the mainland.
Nonetheless, Chow battles on, citing that 70% of the goals in the plan have been realised since 2018.
The plan has launched 304 projects for housing, digital transformation, climate change resilience, economic development, tech advancement, family support, youth empowerment, and gender equality, said Chow.
Among the highlights of the festival are a visit to Tech Dome, a facility tailored to showcase technology; a mobile planetarium; traditional games; a mini personal computer fair; industry showcases; science shows; and workshops on science, technical, engineering, mathematics, and the environment.
A exhibition of Tesla electric vehicles will also be featured. – August 2, 2024.
