Perikatan promises to review Penang Transport Master Plan in state election manifesto
SEBERANG PERAI, Aug 7 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) has promised to review the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) in its state election manifesto that was launched today.
Penang PN chairman Datuk Dominic Lau said the coalition will review the plan to suit the needs of the people rather than the current version that is being implemented by the Penang government.
He said Penang is known for its problem of traffic congestion so PN will introduce alternative forms of public transport.
“If given the mandate, we will introduce the Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART),” he said when announcing the Penang PN manifesto at Seri Malaysia Hotel in Kepala Batas.
The Penang PN manifesto contains 33 offerings based on eight thrusts to drive the economy and resolve cost-of-living issues, protect the people’s well-being, increase property ownership, guarantee good health services, protect sustainability of the environment, strengthen the transportation system, improve the tourism sector and cultivate a mature political culture.
The manifesto also contained a promise to build more affordable housing priced below RM100,000 per unit.
“We will use a system to ensure all developers will be required to build 30 per cent low-cost housing priced below RM100,000 for every housing project that they build,” Lau said.
He said Penang PN will also limit the rental rates of government housing and create a community-friendly housing quota system.
“Penang is known as a foodie’s destination so in line with this, if given the mandate, PN will create a food seller-friendly policy,” he said.
He said hawkers’ licence fees will be exempted in line with this.
The Penang PN manifesto also included several cash handouts such as a one-off amount of RM1,200 to students who continue their studies in higher institutions of learning, RM500 for students in Form Six and those undergoing matriculation, RM250 for trishaw riders, and RM1,000 for e-hailing and taxi drivers.
There will also be allocations such as RM1.5 million subsidies to companies involved in industrial training in Penang, RM10 million of grants for micro businesses, RM5 million incentives for fishermen, RM14 million for religious schools, missionary schools and vernacular schools, RM1 million fund for Parents-Teachers Associations and RM60 million for social welfare programmes.
“We will also provide free medical check-ups for the public,” he said.
He said Penang PN will also introduce Mutiara Well-Being Centres to provide mental healthcare, dialysis and rehabilitation services.
