PENANGITES are overjoyed after the Federal Government approved the construction of the elevated Sungai Dua - Juru expressway near Permatang Pauh here.
The project was disclosed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the tabling of the Budget 2025 in Parliament today.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow hopes the project can be implemented on a fast-track basis.
This, given the urgent need for such an infrastructure to disperse traffic coming in from the North-South Expressway from both the southern side of Kedah and the northern side of Perak.
Chow hopes that the project can be done fast.
He also expressed support for the construction of another Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Prai.
It will complement the existing UTC at Komtar in George Town.
UTC is a one-stop referral centre for all key government departments from the police to the immigration.
He also welcomed the role of the federal agency Urban Development Agency (UDA) in developing wakaf land in George Town, especially since it was mooted by civil society.
Chow also noted that the Budget approved the allocations for the raw water supply project between northern Perak and southern Penang.
Other notable projects are the light rail transit (LRT) system and the expansion of the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.
There is also the establishment of the Batu Kawan Industrial Park III.
Such projects are expected to stimulate the macro economy of the state, he noted.
On education, Chow said that Universiti Sains Malaysia would be exploring the world of Artificial Intelligence and further collaborate with Intel and Infineon on technology.
This would enhance Penang's role as a preferred investment destination in the region, sai
