GEORGE TOWN – The Penang State Development Office is monitoring and carrying verification process for physical projects throughout Penang to ensure that the projects can be completed on time, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
Reezal Merican who is also the Penang Development Action Council chairman said the state-level Monitoring and Evaluation Committee Meeting has taken follow-up actions and coordination at the federal and state levels to ensure the relevant projects are completed according to schedule.
“The first verification visits were held in March and the second visits are being carried out until September. The findings of these verification visits will also be channelled to relevant agencies and ministries and all data must be updated in the MyProjek System so that project reporting is in line with the reality on site," he said in a statement after chairing the council meeting here today.
The Kepala Batas MP said the meeting had reviewed the physical development and financial performance report of the 12th Malaysia Plan initiatives involving 199 projects consisting of 93 extension projects and 106 new projects involving a total cost of RM9.72 billion.
“This includes the status of 86 projects in the pre-implementation category, 80 projects that are being implemented and 33 projects that have been completed. The council has also expressed its concerns over some projects under construction categorised as late and sick projects," he said.
He said the Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) also briefed the meeting on the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, adding that it urged the state government to pay attention to the issues raised by the people of Penang regarding the project such as the overall cost and the financing model for the project.
“The council meeting also took note of the assurance that the state government will not proceed with the PSR project if it does not get the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, but the council is once again of the opinion that while waiting for the decision, the people’s concerns should be addressed and given attention to,” he said.
Reezal Merican also expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of various development projects and programmes by federal departments or agencies in the state.
He said immediate actions should be implemented for programmes under Budget 2022 involving touch points projects for the people, especially in reducing the cost of living for the B40 and M40 groups. – Bernama, August 19, 2022
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