KUALA LUMPUR – R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) took the government to task over what he claims is discriminatory treatment towards the people of Penang, given the apparent lack of development in the state.
He said this is in stark contrast to the millions of ringgit that have been allocated to current and former prime ministers for renovations as well as the building of personal residences.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Rayer asked if the overlooking of Penang has to do with the fact that the state is being held by Pakatan Harapan (PH), as opposed to the Barisan Nasional-led federal government.
“Throughout the Dewan sitting, we have been rocked by news of RM38 million being spent to repair the uninhabited prime minister’s official residence (in Putrajaya), and RM100 million that was planned for the purchase of land and house for Pekan (Datuk Seri Najib Razak).
“Our prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) has also appointed a number of ambassadors and advisers.
“But why are the people of Penang treated like stepchildren? There is not a single infrastructural development. The Penang ferry, cable car, state international airport, Penang LRT – all are not given attention. Is this because the government is a PH one?”
Rayer said this in his supplementary question to Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong (Lawas-GPS) on measures taken by the federal government to maintain the Penang ferry service.
DAP’s Rayer initially asked Henry what had happened to the RM30 million grant allocated by former finance minister and ex-Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng to Penang Port Sdn Bhd as a precondition to ensure that the ferry service is continued.
Henry said that he did not have the information ready at hand and will provide a written reply instead.
Unimpressed by that response, Rayer said: “I’m sorry, but the grant is not merely RM1 million or RM2 million. RM30 million has been allocated. The deputy minister can’t just give that kind of answer.”
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN), who chaired the session today, stepped in and instructed Henry to provide a written answer within five days. – The Vibes, November 30, 2021
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