PFP promises entertainment city, abolition of bridge toll

BUTTERWORTH: Penang Front Party (PFP) has announced its plans to generate RM10bil profit within the next five years.

This is provided the party is able to form a majority government with the winning coalition in the state, said PFP chairman Datuk Patrick Ooi.

He said the profit was expected to bring about benefits such as free education, job opportunities for 50,000 people and reduction of water tariff.

He said the party also had plans to develop a world-class entertainment city in Pulau Jerejak and abolish toll collection on the Penang bridge and Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR).

“We aim to generate RM10bil from various projects to be implemented, and the money will be returned to benefit Penangites.

“Balik Pulau will be converted into an education hub where 10 renowned universities such as University of Cape Town from South Africa, University of Tokyo from Japan, Tsinghua University from China, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London from UK, and Princeton University from USA will be invited to establish campuses there.

“With an estimated enrolment of 7,000 students and an annual fee of RM75,000 each, we project an annual profit of RM525mil. In addition to RM105mil from their convocations and RM100mil from tourism, we can generate RM730mil yearly,” he said during a press conference at a hotel in Seberang Jaya yesterday.

Patrick, who launched the party’s manifesto, said local students in Penang would be fully subsidised to study in any of the universities.

He added that in the manifesto, Pulau Jerejak would be converted into a duty-free island and a world-class entertainment city featuring theme parks, hotels, restaurants and clubs.

“The entertainment city will generate 50,000 jobs and 30,000 business opportunities, bringing in approximately RM10bil yearly,” he said.

The manifesto includes turning Komtar into a research centre, premium outlet and transport centre to benefit industrial areas in Bayan Lepas, Prai and Batu Kawan.

It also promises to reduce water tariff by half within four years.

The party also plans to set up a hydroelectric power plant in Teluk Bahang, Cherok Tokun and Air Itam within two to three years, with floating solar panels covering 30% of the dam's water surface to generate about RM100mil yearly when in full operation.

“We will also build 10,000 units of houses within three and a half years, each valued at RM400,000 and sold at only RM100,000 as they will be built using pre-cast concrete.

“Toll collection on Penang bridge will also be abolished for all vehicles, while additional three-metre wide motorcycle lanes will be built on both sides.

“BORR on the mainland will also be toll-free,” said Patrick, before announcing 13 candidates who will contest in 13 state seats and one parliamentary seat.

They are Ong Yin Yin (Sungai Puyu), Fabian George Albart (Bagan Jermal), Jasper Ooi Zong Han (Bagan Dalam), Lee Poh Kong (Berapit), Wan Balkis Wan Abdullah (Machang Bubuk), Liew Ee Jin (Padang Lalang), Edward Joseph (Bukit Tengah), Ong Seong Lu (Bukit Tambun), E. Daphne (Jawi), M. Nicholas Diane (Datuk Keramat), Teoh Kean Liang (Batu Uban), Lim Zong Xian (Pantai Jerejak) and Patrick himself who will contest in the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat and Perai state seat.