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GEORGE TOWN: Penang has submitted a wish list to Putrajaya ahead of the 2025 Budget.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said its major project is the RM1.8 billion Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway.
He said another was a RM60 million matching grant for the Penang Silicon Design @5km+, to create a unique and interconnected ecosystem for Integrated Circuit (IC) design and technology enterprises within a 5km radius of the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park.
"We have made known our requests to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, among others.
"We hope the federal government will seriously consider our requests as the elevated highway project is crucial to address the persistent traffic woes in Seberang Prai.
"The total investment for the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative is projected at RM120 million over the next five years. The Penang government has committed RM60 million to propel this initiative forward. We are actively pursuing a matching grant of RM60 million from the federal government in the 2025 Budget," he told reporters here today.
Chow said, from the information received, the federal government was looking into various options, as each option has its cost implication.
"Whatever it is, we hope the options chosen are effective to address the traffic woes," he added.
in Parliament on Oct 18.
It was reported that the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) under the Prime Minister's Department and PLUS Malaysia Bhd had officially started discussions on the construction of the Juru–Sungai Dua elevated highway project to address the persistent traffic woes in Seberang Prai.
Chow was met after the presentation of certification for the appointment of new Village Community Management Council (MPKK) for the northeast and southwest districts at Dewan Sri Pinang here.