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KUALA LUMPUR: Several legislators from Penang’s Pakatan Harapan have urged the federal government to review its decision to withdraw collateral for a RM2.04bil loan application from the Penang state government for its Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. ) of RM9.5bil.
“We are not asking you (the Federal Government) for money, we just need a guarantee. Please do not victimize the people of Penang,” said Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin (Photo).
At a press conference in Parliament on Monday (November 30), Sim said that further delays in the project would further erode investor confidence in Penang, especially in the manufacturing, electricity and electronics sectors.
“In Budget 2021, Penang did not receive any priority from the Federal Government. There are no new development projects,” he said.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had said the decision was in line with revised revenue and revenue projections for the country, as well as the government’s approach to restoring the economy, following the pandemic. of Covid-19.
Tengku Zafrul added that if the loan is approved, it will increase the federal government’s commitment to operating and development expenses, as well as other off-budget projects assumed by the government.
He cited MRT lines 1 and 2 (RM71bil), LRT3 (RM17.7bil), Pan Borneo Sarawak Highway (RM13bil) and the East Coast Rail Link or ECRL (RM48.85bil) as examples of such projects.
Meanwhile, Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said that Penang is known for its traffic problems.
“Please be concerned for those in Penang. I hope the federal government can review its decision,” he said.
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