Chow: We are in talks over new highway, water projects

GEORGE TOWN: The Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Expressway Project and the Perak-Penang Water Project are currently in the discussion stage, involving various Federal Government ministries, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pic).

He hoped both projects could be implemented due to the situation in the state, with the matter being raised at a briefing on Penang’s development chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Komtar during his visit to the state on Friday.

“I am happy to say that Datuk Seri Anwar is concerned about the two projects and that they are being discussed. Hopefully, the discussion will yield positive results,” he told reporters after opening the 2nd World Cat Federation Penang International Cat Fiesta 2024 at Spice Arena in Bayan Lepas near here, reported Bernama.

Chow suggested that two projects be implemented through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) or privatisation if they could not be implemented through the Federal Government’s allocation.

He thanked the Prime Minister for appreciating Penang’s contribution to the country’s development, especially in the economic and industrial sectors.

Chow also said that the Prime Minister concurred with him when told Penang had been marginalised for several years (2008–2018) when the state was not aligned with the then Federal Government and was not given the attention it deserved.

According to Chow, the Prime Minister has directed efforts to break the cycle of poverty for the state’s hardcore poor.

On Friday, Anwar said the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, along with the Penang government, will strive to address the issues faced by these hardcore poor families within one month, enabling Penang to achieve zero hardcore poverty status by June 1.