Penang CM says state sidelined in 11MP

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Penang was completely sidelined in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) which was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Lim said the federal government refused to entertain the state government's request for RM21 billion to improve infrastructure facilities in the state.
"What we had requested especially for easing traffic congestion in the state such as (the) MRT, LRT and also the expansion of the Penang International Airpot (PIA), Penang had nothing.
"We have been ignored again", he said in a press conference at his office today.
Lim said even though the state did not get any allocations, the state administration will go ahead with the development programme that has been lined up for Penang.
"We will continue with the projects that have been planned so that we can guarantee the state's economic growth," he said.
He said the state government will go ahead with the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) even though the request for the project to be included in the 11MP was ignored
The government has allocated a budget of RM260 billion under the 11MP for the next five years from 2016 to 2020 for projects on social welfare, green growth, infrastructure and innovation.
During today's press conference, Lim also supported the call by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who called for the sacking of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) board members during a closed-door meeting.
"The demand came from the number two leader in the country , it should not be taken lightly," he said.