BN government will pump RM1.25b into Penang projects this year

By Himanshu Bhatt, fz.com (contributor to theedgemalaysia.com)

GEORGE TOWN: Determined to demonstrate that it is not side-lining Pakatan Rakyat-held Penang, the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government has decided to pump in some RM1.25 billion in projects in the state this year. Federal Action Council for Penang chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman announced yesterday a slew of 19 new projects, mainly for traffic infrastructure and health, as well as a few for education, to commence this year. Zainal, who is also state Umno chairman, stressed that these new projects are in addition to 24 projects worth a total of RM5.1 billion that have already been completed in 2013 — including the 24km Second Penang Bridge. He said the RM4.5 billion bridge is scheduled for opening next month by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak at a yet-to-be-determined date, following some final minor installations. “All these show that the federal government is not marginalising or neglecting the people of Penang,” he said at a press conference at the federal building here. “We are definitely concerned about improving the prosperity of Penangites.” The projects slated for this year include an RM400 million multi-storey block with space for 331 beds at the Seberang Jaya Hospital, an RM250 million new wing for women and children at the Penang Hospital, an RM205 million upgrading of the narrow road between Teluk Kumbar and the Penang International Airport, and an RM60 million new flyover in Batu Maung at the southern end of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. Asked about the status of affordable housing projects under the federal PR1MA Corp Malaysia that were announced for Penang early last year, Zainal insisted that the projects are still on for implementation in next two years. He stressed that the issue of confirming the sites is not easy in view of limited available land in Penang. “In the process, we will have to get approval from the State Planning Committee (chaired by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng). We therefore hope to get cooperation from the state government in this regard,” he added. Zainal said the federal government is certain to develop 10,000 units of houses through PR1MA, as announced by Najib, and another 10,000 by federal agencies like the Penang Regional Development Authority, UDA Holdings Bhd and JKP Sdn Bhd. Najib had on April 30 last year — five days before the last general election — announced 9,999 affordable housing units in Penang. On Aug 28, almost four months after the BN retained control of the country, PR1MA announced that 20,519 affordable homes will be built in Greater Klang Valley, Johor, Penang, Sabah,  and Sarawak. However, the Penang government has complained that its enquiries for details on the units in the state have failed to elicit response from PR1MA or the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry. For more stories, go to www.fz.com, the website for freedom of expression and fairness in articulation. This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on January 29, 2014.