GEORGE TOWN, May 2 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) is assured of retaining Penang but the triumph will be limited if the pact fails to win federal power, said state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
The incumbent Padang Kota assemblyman said the northern state still lacks the financial capability to undertake major infrastructure projects, which he said would not change unless there is a new administration in Putrajaya.
“If PH wins Putrajaya, we believe Penang will put up a strong case for more funding to improve basic amenities, public transport, flood mitigation and telecommunications to grow our industrial and services sector as well as improve standard of living to achieve a developed state status,” he said in a statement issued today.
Without this victory, he said Penang’s potential will continue to be limited as he alleged a Barisan Nasional would likely “squeeze the state”.
To support this, Chow noted that Penang was largely overlooked in recent Budget announcements despite its contributions to the economy and federal coffers.
While a PH state administration could still look for alternative funding sources, this would impede the pace with which it could execute public projects if there were federal money.
Chow, who is also contesting the Tanjong federal seat, asserted that a PH federal administration would help finance the state’s ambitious RM46billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) that features rail systems, new highways and an undersea tunnel.
In contrast, he said PH’s rivals intended to do the exact opposite.
“Penang BN has made it its election promise to stop the undersea tunnel project, as well as cancel the state’s plans to reclaim the sea off Persiaran Gurney and Permatang Damar Laut, projects that are linked to the funding of the PTMP,” he said.
He pointed out that approvals for land reclamation, public transportation and major infrastructure projects that affect the environment are decided by agencies controlled by the federal government.
“They (the federal government) will withhold approvals for our projects and make it difficult for the state to get things done,” he said.
He said the state will have to be more resilient and innovative to tap into the resources of the private sectors and communities in order to move ahead.
Chow said if PH retains Penang for the third term, it will fulfill the 68 promises made in its manifesto that included continuing its Special Economic Project, its annual welfare handout, its planned affordable housing projects and establishing the state as an Islamic education hub.
Malaysians will vote in the14th general election on May 9.
