Help us help M’sia, Penang CM urges Putrajaya

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow says he has stressed to the federal government the importance of supporting the state’s economic development.

– Twitter pic, December 18, 2020

GEORGE TOWN – With better support from the federal government, Penang can further prosper economically if it is willing to sanction and fund proposed development projects in the state.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow reminded federal authorities that the economic “success” of Penang is shared by all Malaysians through the creation of jobs and the multiplier effects.

The state is known as the engine of growth for the northern region through its manufacturing and services sectors, such as in the electronic and electrical fields as well as tourism.

“We can do so much better with the support of the federal government. I have often stressed our position to the federal authorities of the state’s contributions and role.”

Chow was responding to a question if the state felt “bullied” by the federal government after a series of allocations were scrapped or postponed such as withdrawing a government guarantee for a USD$500 million (RM2.02 billion) Asian Development Bank loan application to partly finance its RM9.5 billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

The latest was the scrapping of the iconic cross-channel ferry services and replacing it with catamaran speed boats from next month til July 2022.

Chow was also asked about the statement from Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, who is also MCA president, that DAP leaders knew about the proposed replacement of the iconic ferries.

“Again, I have no details. I think you should refer to the federal government. I have never been part of the federal government either previously, now or I do not know the future.”

Chow said that he shared the same reaction of the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) – the port operator, who had expressed shock over the remarks by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz in Parliament that PPSB has been ordered to continue with the ferry services.

Chow however confirmed that a delegation of the Penang Port Commission had briefed the state over the proposed changes to the services, but stressed that the state wanted the Transport Ministry to consider retaining the iconic ferry services instead of scrapping it altogether.

Earlier, Chow presided over the handing over of scholarships to top students and athletes in Penang.

For the Penang Future Foundation (PFF), a total of 74 students were accorded scholarships worth RM3.4 million to study engineering, computer science and physics.

Among the recipients were Muhamamd Naqib Tasdiq Ahmad Adli, Ooi Kean Hong, Hanu Shree Sankar, Joshua Anthony and Vanessa Koay Wei Li .

PFF selection committee member Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff urged the students to study hard in their first year of tertiary education as many of the dropouts come from first year undergraduates, who have a different calling upon entering the institutions of higher learning.

Chow also rewarded athletes; Khambeswaran Mohanaraja, Mohd Daniel Rusydi Zainuddin, Mohamad Hafiz Halim, Muhamamd Hazwan Abd Wahab, Khairul Nizam Saad and Shahaiqal Abdullah cash aid so they can further their studies while pursuing sporting excellence – The Vibes, December 18, 2020