GEORGE TOWN – While the country is still in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic moving into 2021, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow hopes that stronger political stability and investment will continue to be generated while the nation gets a cure for the deadly disease.
He said the state government hopes that the federal government’s efforts will ensure Malaysia gets an adequate supply of the vaccine promptly for the well-being of the people and to boost economic recovery.
He said the vaccine efforts are being implemented through Malaysia’s participation in the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) initiative, negotiations with pharmaceutical companies and strategic cooperation.
"The year 2021 will definitely provide a myriad of new challenges. Even so, far in the far corner of our hearts, we still have a little hope to see something convincing," he said today in a special message in conjunction with Christmas Day and New Year's.
Chow said Penang had recorded approved manufacturing investments of RM10.6 billion between January and September, with total foreign direct investment (FDI) of RM8.8 billion, or 83% of total investments.
He said this placed Penang as the second highest FDI contributor in the country, while RM1.8 billion or 17% was through domestic direct investment (DDI).
Meanwhile, Chow said transport is also one of the priorities of the state government.
He said the state government is committed to realising the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), especially the Komtar-Bayan Lepas line of its light rail transit (LRT) project scheme.
Chow also hopes that the state's ferry service is retained and a proper approach is taken with consideration to heritage values. The ferry service has been an icon of the state for 126 years.
He also called on the people to continue maintaining peace and celebrating their similarities and differences while striving to strengthen universal values. – Bernama, December 24, 2020
