TASEK GELUGOR: The Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) hopes that Budget 2027 will continue to focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to expand skills training for school leavers, especially those in rural areas.
Perda general manager Datuk Mohd Asri Baharum said it hoped that the government's allocation would support efforts to increase student intake at Institut Kemahiran Tinggi Perda (Perda-Tech), in line with the introduction of several programmes next year.
"For TVET, we usually get about RM6 million per year. So, we hope to receive a similar allocation this year so that we can continue with the plans we have drawn up for next year.
"Among the programmes that will be introduced next year are Diploma in Agricultural Agrotechnology, Diploma in Fashion Design and a multimedia programme, in addition to focusing on manufacturing technology," he told reporters after the launch of the 2026 Perda Expo (Expert) at Midtown Perda Kubang Menerong here on Friday night (Oct 3).
The ceremony was officiated by the Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, and also attended by his wife, Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.
Mohd Asri said Perda-Tech currently offers 16 fields of study at certificate and diploma levels, with intake of up to 450 students per session and about 1,000 students pursuing various skills programmes each year.
He said Perda also hoped that rural development in Penang would be given priority under Budget 2027 so that more residents could benefit from the allocations provided.
Budget 2027, themed "Malaysia Madani: Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi", is scheduled to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, in Parliament on Oct 9.
Meanwhile, Perda chairman Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin said it is now focusing on developing the halal sector and empowering entrepreneurs in the state by providing infrastructure to create more business opportunities.
He said Perda had obtained an allocation of nearly RM40 million for the development of the Perda Halal Park in Kubang Menerong, involving the construction of 22 new industrial units, with construction work scheduled to begin soon.
"We are now focusing on halal development and the development of entrepreneurs throughout Penang. Insya-Allah, when all the infrastructure is completed, I am confident that we can assist more entrepreneurs throughout Penang," he added.
Shaik Hussein said the addition of the 22 new units to the existing 27 would bring the total to 49 units, making the Perda Halal Park one of the largest halal industrial areas in northern Malaysia once the development is completed.
He said all 27 existing industrial units were occupied by entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector, while the new units would also cater to other sectors, including pharmaceuticals, and that Perda is also planning to develop a research and development (R&D) laboratory and product exhibition space at the park.
He hoped that entrepreneurs who have yet to obtain halal certification would be able to operate at the Perda Halal Park, which has received Halal Malaysia (Halmas) recognition, to facilitate the process of obtaining the certification, thereby enabling their products to penetrate wider markets.
On April 7, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase Two of the Perda Halal Park development project, involving a 4.4-hectare site. The project is a continuation of Phase One, which was completed in 2015. – Bernama
