Penang BN blueprint comes with a catch

The BN is planning development programmes for the island but it will only be implemented if it recaptures the state.

GEORGE TOWN: The Barisan Nasional is wooing Penang voters by promising a new blueprint which includes returning the free port status to the island.

But there is a snag. All these new measures will only be implemented if the BN recaptures Penang.

“It is the alternative blueprint or programme BN is offering to the people of Penang,” BN state chief Teng Chang Yeow told reporters after chairing a state BN meeting here today.

Under the programme, he said the service sector would be transformed into another engine of state economic growth alongside the manufacturing sector.

Currently, he said Penang has been very much dependent on the state’s major revenue earner, the manufacturing sector.

He said the service sector, which forms a major part of the country’s economic transformation plan (ETP)), would create more business opportunities and jobs.

“The manufacturing sector has reached its peak in Penang. We have to look into other engines of growth,” said Teng, who is also the Gerakan secretary-general.

He said the island will be turned to an international tourism hub focusing on medical, education, entertainment and sports tourism.

He added that an international financial centre, an innovation park, an aquaculture hub and a modern fisheries centre would be built in mainland Seberang Perai.

He said upgrading of the state infrastructure and public transport will also be in the pipeline.

The state BN will activate a mechanism to inform the people on the proposed projects and to receive public feedback, response and support.

“The plan is to carry a sustainable and even socio-economic development for both island and mainland.

“We will implement the comprehensive plan once we are in power,” said Teng.

When asked on whether BN was using the development programme as bait to fish votes, Teng said it was not about baiting but all about people-centric programmes.

“I did not use the word bait,” he said.

On the free port status, he said the federal government could not possibly restore it before the general election because drafting the whole plan, especially on its technicalities, would take time.

Moreover, he said amendments must be done to the financial related laws.
He said the comprehensive development plan must be readied to accommodate the restoration of the free port status.

Teng mooted the idea to restore Penang’s free port status, which was removed by BN predecessor the Alliance government in 1969.

“Free port is among the tools suggested to help turn Penang into an international tourist hub. Once we are the state government, we will push to restore it,” he said.