GEORGE TOWN – For the sake of its 1.6 million citizens, the Penang government will push on with four projects cancelled by the Federal government, despite tight state resources.
Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow, said with the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, the projects are important to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve the socioeconomic situation.
“The four infrastructure projects are the RM100 million Penang Hill cable car project, RM800 million Penang International Airport (LTAPP) expansion project, Penang's iconic ferries, and the light rail transit (LRT) project.
“Because of the withdrawal, we need to find a suitable method to proceed with the projects and are planning to continue the cable car and LRT projects with an alternative form of financing,” he said at a press conference also attended by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Penang DAP secretary, Senator Lim Hui Ying, today.
In Budget 2020, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had allocated RM100 million for the cable car project with remaining costs borne by the state government, but it was withdrawn by the Perikanan Nasional (PN) government.
Before the press conference, DAP launched a mass signature campaign to demand the PN government reinstate the projects. – Bernama, January 7, 2021
