Penang will give importance to mega infrastructure projects such as the light rail transit (LRT), airport expansion, and Silicon Island in 2024.

In his New Year message on Sunday, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is confident that the Silicon Island project will replicate the success of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ), which brought economic renewal to Penang over 50 years ago, Bernama reported.

“It is undeniable that we need Silicon Island to further develop the industrial land in Bayan Lepas to ensure the growth and increase in competitiveness of our state’s leading electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing sector,” he said.

While admitting that it might be impossible for all these mega projects to be completed before the end of his tenure as chief minister, Chow reiterated his commitment to initiating these projects for the well-being of the people in the future.

“Penang must continue to lead, inspire and contribute to the well-being of all Malaysians,” he said.

Chow said the state would strive to achieve its “Penang 2030 Vision: A People-centric Smart and Green State That Inspires the Nation” objective to revive the economic sector.

He was grateful to the federal government for constantly working together with Penang to ensure the implementation of projects or programmes that benefit the people.

During an official visit to the state in May, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government had agreed to provide additional funds to the Penang government to expedite the development of the LRT project in the state.

He had acknowledged that traffic congestion had been a longstanding issue in Penang and that the state was in need of a LRT system as a solution.

The LRT is expected to follow the Bayan Lepas-Komtar-Tanjung Bungah-Air Itam-Butterworth-Kepala Batas-Simpang Ampat route.

The whole project is expected to cost RM10 billion.

Chow urged the people of Penang to maintain harmony for them to live in prosperity and unity, heralding 2024 with “a spirit of love, unity, tolerance and joy”.

Source: FMT Online