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Chow expresses aspirations to establish the Penang International Financial Centre to PM – March 19, 2025
Among the selected projects are the Pan Island Link Project (PIL1), road upgrading works, water pipe installations, new school constructions, and the development of Penang Fisherman’s Town
THE Penang state government has unveiled a list of 10 priority projects for application under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026, with a projected total cost exceeding RM11 billion.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted that the selected projects encompass a wide range of initiatives, including the Pan Island Link Project (PIL1), road upgrading works, water pipe installations, new school constructions, and the development of Penang Fisherman’s Town.
In a statement made during the Penang State-Level MADANI Iftar event at the Abu Ubaidah Al-Jarrah Mosque in Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Chow expressed his hope that the applications would receive the necessary attention from the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to facilitate the seamless development of Penang as a whole.
"I hope these applications will be given due attention by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to ensure the smooth development of Penang as a whole," Chow said during his address at the event, which was also attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek – who is also the Member of Parliament for Nibong Tebal – and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
In addition to these infrastructure projects, Chow also revealed that he had sent a letter to Prime Minister Anwar, outlining Penang’s aspirations to establish the Penang International Financial Centre. This initiative, according to Chow, aims to strengthen the financial sector in the northern region, with a broader goal of fostering a more progressive financial ecosystem across northern Malaysia, not just within Penang.
On another front, Chow emphasised Penang's commitment to nurturing highly skilled talent, particularly through the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Talent Action Plan. The Chief Minister underscored that collaboration between the state and federal governments was essential not only to meet the growing demands of industry but also to cultivate a new generation of leaders poised to drive the global high-tech sector forward.
“We are ready to nurture more highly skilled talent through the STEM Talent Action Plan. This collaboration will not only meet industry demands but will also help cultivate a new generation of pioneers who will lead the global high-tech industry,” Chow added.Chow Kon Yeow, project, 13MP, application. – March 19, 2025