GEORGE TOWN – Penang plans to debut a digital surveillance system through which all forms of public development projects in the state would be monitored, with the list of projects to be uploaded via an online dashboard reporting link.
The link will be featured on the Penang2030 portal by month’s end as part of the state’s efforts to grow awareness about the work it has been doing for the people.
All forms of development – from proposals, to those under planning, to the construction stages, and those under completion – will be transmitted onto this dashboard for the public to monitor and offer their suggestions, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“It is part of our efforts to showcase transparency and accountability. The people can monitor all projects. We will produce it for them to see it all,” said Chow after launching the state’s report card for the past three years of its performance.
Currently, the list of public projects is only available through a printed booklet that will be distributed to the public.
However, Chow also wants it to be done digitally.
“The dashboard will be online by the end of the month so the public can access and monitor the progress of the projects, and it will be updated live. So it is a transparent way to share the progress, the timeline and the costs with the public.”
As long as the projects are listed in the state’s just-released report card, they will be incorporated into the electronic dashboard.
Chow also said that projects approved under the Penang Transport Master Plan could also be included in the dashboard.
On the report card, Chow said that he gave a 75% mark for the state in terms of its performance in the last three years, despite Penang being embroiled in a battle with Covid-19, which led to an economic downturn.
As the economy begins to emerge from months of lockdowns, Chow said each state exco, including himself, needs to improve their performance.
“All portfolios still have bungalows, not rooms, for improvements,” he said.
When questioned if any particular portfolio needed attention, he said that Penang needs to improve across the board to meet everybody’s expectations.
Chow also said that some projects can be scrapped based on present and future needs of the state.
The report card’s findings are available online and through the state’s official media organ of Buletin Mutiara, both online and in print. – The Vibes, January 21, 2022
