NIBONG TEBAL (March 18): The Penang government has listed 10 priority projects under the Special Application for Development Projects in the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with an estimated total cost exceeding RM11 billion.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow noted that the listed projects include the Pan Island Link Project (PIL1), road upgrading projects, pipe installations, school construction, and the development of Penang Fisherman’s Town.

“I hope these applications will be given due attention by the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to ensure the smooth development of Penang as a whole,” Chow said during the Penang state-level Madani Iftar event at the Abu Ubaidah Al-Jarrah Mosque in Bandar Tasek Mutiara here on Tuesday.

The event was attended by Anwar, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who is also the Nibong Tebal Member of Parliament, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Meanwhile, Chow stated that he had sent a letter to Anwar regarding Penang’s efforts to set up the Penang International Financial Centre to strengthen the financial sector in the northern region.

He expressed hope that the proposal would be well received at the federal level, helping create a more progressive financial sector across the northern states, not just in Penang.

In the meantime, Chow said Penang is ready to nurture more highly skilled talent through the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Talent Action Plan.

He said the synergy between the state and federal governments not only met industry demands, but also helped cultivate a new generation of pioneers who would lead the global high-tech industry.

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