Penang government has proposed a total of 10 priority projects in the state to be considered by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for the national Budget 2023.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said these 10 priority projects, with an estimated cost of RM2.27 billion, could have a major impact on the development of the state.

“Among the proposals are the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) project – Phase 1A, to upgrade a two-lane single road to a four-lane dual carriageway on federal route FT006 from Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar, the urban renewal study involving Rifle Range Flats (Phase 1), proposed construction of eco-friendly bicycle lanes (Ecodeck) along the coastal areas from Flamingo Hotel, Tanjung Bungah to Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort in Jalan Batu Ferringhi; and a health clinic (Type 2) (compact) Mak Mandin (replacement), Seberang Perai Utara with 42 units of class D, F and G integration quarters.

“Others include a construction of a replacement building for block B, pre-school, special rooms and other facilities in Sekolah Kebangsaan Mengkuang, Sanglang Flood Mitigation project (RTB Sanglang) in south Seberang Perai, the proposed construction of a ‘Cliff Walk’ bridge structure that connects two heritage bungalows, namely the Keretapi Bukit Bendera (KBB) bungalow and the Edgecliff bungalow in Penang Hill; and the upgrading project of the Penang Stadium in Batu Kawan.

“In general, all of these projects are very crucial and necessary needed by the state government because they will be a catalyst to achieve the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.

“Thus, I hope the MoF will consider all the 10 priority projects that are presented today and approve the funds in the national Budget 2023,” Chow told Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz during an engagement session on the national Budget 2023 in Komtar on Saturday.

Zafrul said the MoF would consider all the 10 priority projects proposed by the Penang government to be included in the national Budget 2023.

“However, the priorities will be given to the health clinic, quarters’ project, and schools that need funds for repair and flood mitigation projects as they are in line with our Budget 2023 objectives.

“Nevertheless, we are committed to preparing a Budget that reflects the pulse of the people and for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Chow also thanked Zafrul and his delegation for being willing to have an engagement session with every state to get views and suggestions at the grassroots level, especially from the people, local industrial sector, as well as the state government.

“This is a good initiative to prepare a comprehensive Budget 2023 that will benefit the people as a whole.

“And also to ensure that the state’s development agenda is in line with the country’s development agenda.

“Thus, I hope that such approach will be continued in the future as the state government will continue to cooperate for the progress and well-being of all Penangites,” he said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara