Source: Buletin Mutiara

Seven of Penang’s 10 priority projects have been accepted by the Federal Government for consideration ahead of Budget 2027, according to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Chow said the seven proposals are now being considered by the relevant ministries. Some may be announced when Budget 2027 is tabled, while others could be communicated to the state government at a later stage.

The seven projects accepted for consideration are:

• Penang groundwater resource mapping and assessment – A proposal to map and assess groundwater resources across the state.
• Penang STEM Talent Blueprint – An initiative aimed at strengthening the state’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent pipeline.
• Public market complex in Teluk Kumbar – The proposed construction of a new public market complex serving the Teluk Kumbar area.
• Upgrading of mechanical and electrical infrastructure for flood control systems – Improvements to mechanical and electrical components supporting flood control systems, including those in Penang.
• Upgrading of Jalan Bukit Tambun (FT149) – The proposed upgrade of the federal road from the Federal Route FT001 junction to the Bukit Tambun Selatan Toll junction.
• Upgrading of Federal Route FT001 – Improvements to the stretch of FT001 between Permatang Tinggi and Sungai Juru.
• Sungai Kilang Ubi flood mitigation plan – A flood mitigation project proposed for the central Seberang Perai district.

Chow said the state government understood the Federal Government’s financial constraints but would continue to raise projects considered important to Penang.

“All these projects are important to us, but we understand the federal government’s financial position,” he said, adding that priority would likely be given to projects considered necessary to be implemented urgently.

The three projects that were not accepted for consideration could still be raised by the state government, Chow said.

Meanwhile, Chow also expressed hope that Budget 2027 would provide an update on the proposed Penang Technology Financial Centre (PTFC), formerly known as the Penang International Financial Centre (PIFC).

The proposal was renamed following discussions to better reflect Penang’s role as a technology and semiconductor hub. The state government’s PIFC task force submitted a white paper to the Ministry of Finance in September.

The proposed PTFC aims to improve access to capital for small and medium enterprises and local companies, particularly those supporting the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors.

Chow said the initiative would help local startups and SMEs scale up and grow alongside the multinational companies driving Penang’s semiconductor and AI sectors.