If elected, BN vows to elevate Penang

In its state manifesto, Barisan Nasional makes various pledges to turn Penang into an international hub.

GEORGE TOWN: Barisan Nasional has promised to restore Penang’s free port status and transform the state into a tourism, business, fashion, entertainment, culture and cuisine hub if it regained the state government.

In its state manifesto launched at the Tabung Haji Complex here tonight, BN promised to transform Penang into the country’s new iconic landmark of stability, tranquility, hospitality, affordability and vibrant economy.

BN promised to implement the monorail transport system, construct alternative roads and upgrade the efficiency of Penang Rapid bus service as solutions to ease rapidly growing traffic congestion in the state.

It also promised to abolish motorcycle toll on the Penang Bridge and hawkers licence fees.

“With your mandate, BN will elevate Penang to be the next world-class duty-free city renowned for its cultural diversity, illustrious history and success story,” promised the 19-point manifesto launched by state BN leaders led by chairman Teng Chang Yeow.

BN pledged to:

1. Set up government childcare centres in every district and provide human resource matching for women, who quit their jobs due to family commitment, to re-enter the job market for enhancement of their careers.

2. Provide free annual personal insurance to voluntary patrol members, coordinate patrolling and enhance cooperation between patrol members and the authorities to make Penang a safer place.

3. Abolish hawkers’ license fees and set up a hawker’s gallery to promote Penang as a hawker food haven.

4. Introduce the monorail, alternative roads and an efficient Penang Rapid bus service as a modern solution to the growing congestion.

5. Provide senior citizens with free annual blood and urine tests for their wellness.

6. Offer a RM3,000 annual loan to the first 1,000 top students who are Penangites pursuing tertiary education in addition to their other study loans and convert the loans to scholarships if they work in Penang upon graduation.

7. Channel assessment fees of low-cost and low medium-cost flats into the Joint Management Board (JMB) for maintenance projects in the interest of flat-dwellers.

8. Complement the federal government’s initiative to build 20,000 medium-cost and affordable houses and reintroduce the ‘Rent and Sale’ scheme for the low income group.

9. Make Penang a free port and transform Penang into a tourism, business, fashion, entertainment, culture and cuisine hub.

10. Establish an International Off-shore Finance Centre (IOFC) in Seberang Perai to boost economic growth and create more jobs.

11. Discount 10% on assessment fees for traders and shopkeepers who go green by practising the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle).

12. Involve the public and incorporate professionals and scholars in the newly-formed consultative council for the formulation of state policies in various aspects e.g. environment, public transportation, housing, safety/security and sustainable development.

13. Automatically extend leased hold land with less than 30 years lease by to 60 years to increase home ownership among Penangites.

14. Set up an Innovation and Dynamo Park to give youths an opportunity to become entrepreneurs and develop their creativity.

15. Issue Temporary Occupancy Licences (TOL) to places of worship and provide them with annual allocations.

16. Introduce incentive scheme to companies that employ retirees and pensioners to enable them to contribute to the workforce after retirement.

17. Create lucrative employment opportunities for the rural folks through primary economic activities such as tourism (homestay programme and eco-tourism) and aquaculture.

18. Abolish motorcycle toll on the Penang Bridge to ease the burden of low-income residents.

19. Maintain traditional kampong with the upgrading of rural facilities and organise Homestay programmes to increase the family income of rural residents.

Voting for Penang’s future

The state BN promised to implement all these pledges through strong financial support from the federal government.

The coalition said Penangites would enjoy duty-free consumer goods and services, cheaper food and beverages, more job opportunities created by the retail industry and strong economic growth due to the free port status.

Similarly, it said tourists would enjoy duty-free shopping while investors would benefit from tax exemption for goods imported into and exported from Penang, thus making the business climate more conducive and competitive.

BN stressed that its state government would focus on five state key economic areas (SKEAs) and five state key result areas (SKRAs) to spur economic growth, raise living standards and ease traffic congestion.

The manifesto stated that BN had fully understood problems faced by Penangites and was working hard to show its strength and ability as a team to cater to the multitude of problems in the state’s pluralistic society.

It stated that BN development plans were to close current gap between Penangites on the island and mainland in terms of income, cost of living and quality of life.

“Vote BN. Penang’s future in your hands,” concluded the manifesto.