A former Umno assemblyperson queried Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng if Penang will be given better allocations in the upcoming Budget 2020.
Former Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad said Lim was Penang's former chief minister and now has power in Putrajaya.
"He used to demand much from the federal government (previously under BN rule), but now he is in a position to give whatever he demanded before," he told Malaysiakini.
Farid said that Lim has been the finance minister since last year and this would be his second budget.
"We hope the minister (Lim) can give enough allocations for Penang so that the two local authorities - Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MPSP) - do not need to raise assessment rates to cover their deficits.
"I am sure he heard and read the people's concerns as they are opposed to the hike in assessment rates, which will be applicable on January 2020," he added.
On Sept 13, state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo announced the hike in assessment rates which elicited much opposition from taxpayers in Penang, who said the "timing was bad" as the people have been facing a poor economic environment.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, however, defended the move and presented proof that the hike in rates was reasonable.
Both Jagdeep and Chow said that the rates for some property categories would be reviewed after the objection period ends on October 14.
Farid said when Lim was chief minister, he often accused the federal government of treating Penang as a "stepchild", stating that the state did not receive enough allocation despite Penangites paying hefty taxes.
"As an opposition leader Lim has expressed the injustice in budget allocation for Penang. We like to see what he will do now to fulfil the state's needs," Farid said.
Farid also urged Lim to heed Chow's request for federal allocations to cover the cost of the Penang Transport Master Plan, which was said to be at RM46 billion.
He said if Penang could obtain the allocations, the Penang South reclamation project, which involves three artificial islands, could be averted.
"There will no longer be any protests by fisherfolks, NGOs and Penangites who do not want the Penang South reclamation," he said.
"Prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim also wanted the project to be scaled down after hearing the complaints by fisherfolks," he said.
"Lim should take pity on Chow who now has to carry on with projects proposed during Lim's tenure as chief minister (March 2008 to May 2018).
"Just like the flood mitigation project in Sungai Pinang, we hope it can be implemented without further delay instead of doing it in phases," Farid added. - Mkini
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