GEORGE TOWN – Penang will prioritise the people’s welfare in 2022 in line with the state’s Vision 2030, in view of the pandemic’s dire effects, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said the state remains committed towards making welfare a priority, in addition to preserving greenery, building a smart city, and family-themed development goals.
“Aid programmes such as i-Sejahtera, which saw RM50 million allocated, will be implemented. The economic aid for qualifying households will also continue. The PgCare movement, a coalition of state and non-governmental organisations, will also focus on the people affected by the pandemic.”
He said in a statement that the Mutiara Food Bank will be expanded to Seberang Prai from its present base on the island.
“I hope 2022 will mark the rise of the people here to help the state in its economic recovery and achieve the goals set under our common vision of a better Penang.”
“Our focus now lies on underutilised pockets. Hence, plans have been drawn up to redevelop the coastline at Weld Quay and Butterworth under the Penang Bay concept.”
Penang is also looking at diversifying its investments portfolio with the Penang i4.0 Seed Fund initiative with an initial funding of US$1 million (over RM4 million) to develop start-ups in the digital, e-commerce, and Internet of Things sectors.
Up to now, 37 local entrepreneurs have benefitted from it.
Chow reiterated that the Penang South Reclamation project, which has garnered much controversy, will continue as it is important for the state’s future.
To consolidate the state’s reputation as the supply chain hub for major electronics and electrical manufacturing, he said, the state aspires to build a highly skilled workforce, continuing into the new year.
Through its Tech Dome, science cluster, digital library, and state skills development centre, Penang has adopted various programmes to ensure that the young are equipped with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.
Up to 28,000 students have participated in the coding classes and Penang International Science Fair.
On infrastructure, Chow said that ongoing efforts to upgrade roads, bridges, drainage, and irrigation, as well as flood mitigation projects, need to continue next year.
This includes all projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
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