PENANG is hoping for a higher development allocation under the 13th Malaysia Plan when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tables it in Parliament next week.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that Penang deserves more attention because it is one of the highest contributors to the national revenue stream.

“The amount we have contributed helps with nation building.”

Speaking at the investiture ceremony to mark the 84th birthday celebrations of the Yang di – Pertua Negri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Chow said that the state will continue to place importance in improving infrastructure.

He also pledged to address the worsening traffic congestion, especially in housing neighbourhoods.

On water supply, Chow said that the Federal Government has given the nod to the proposed Perak – Penang water supply deal, which is now into its final planning stage before it is implemented.

“The final negotiations would begin soon to iron out all the details.”

The expansion of the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, is also on schedule for completion by 2027.

As for food security, Chow revealed that the Silicon Agriculture Valley project which emphasises on smart farming is also being implemented under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).

There are also efforts to establish the state as an international financial centre, which is now under the stewardship of the state think tank – the Penang Institute.

The state will be able to offer financial services in areas such as free trade development, smart banking, financial technology (fintech) and as a logistics hub.

All such efforts are designed to consolidate the state as among the engine of growth for the country, Chow revealed.

He said that the state recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.8% last year compared to 3.3% in the previous year.

The total value is RM121.5 billion, an increase of RM5.5 billion compared to 2023.

The services sector is now the biggest GDP contributor at RM58.4 billion or 48.1%.

Unemployment in Penang, is among the country’s lowest at two percent.

Ramli meanwhile, hopes that the state would not fall into the complacency trap after attaining success in the previous years.

“It should be the catalyst to strive harder so the accomplishments can be passed on to the next generation. To face global challenges, only an administration driven by integrity and possesses an innovative culture with high humanity values, would be able to sustain the growth that the state has achieved,” he said. – July 27. 2025.



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