GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Harapan has fulfilled 90% of the 68-point manifesto when it took the reins of Penang, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

       He said of the 68 points, 54 have been fulfilled with 12 in the works, while the remaining two will not be implemented because of an overlap with Federal Government programmes.

       “Let’s celebrate the achievements in the past four years.

       “For the 10% which have not been fulfilled, we will put in the effort to fulfil them as we have one more year to go if the general election is next year.

       “Most of the items in the works are long-term infrastructure-related projects," he told a press conference after presenting the state government’s four-year manifesto achievements at Komtar here on Monday (May 9).

       In his speech, Chow said the "I Love Penang" manifesto consisted of 11 main themes.

       “It is the state government’s commitment to fulfil the 68 points and I have posed the challenge to the excos of this administration.

       “On Aug 29, 2018, I came up with Penang 2030 for the development of the state.

       “These two important documents have become a guide for the current state administration.

       “We have not given up since being entrusted with the reins of the state government in 2008,” he said.

       Chow added that despite two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, Penang continued and was still able to show excellence by driving success not only in economic aspects, but also educational, sports and social development.

       For the theme of a welfare state, Chow said two manifesto items could not be fulfilled as they overlapped with Federal Government plans.

       “They need to be modified as they are similar to Federal programmes.

       “The money allocated has been channelled to other welfare programmes in the state.

       “For example, payment for senior citizens has been increased from RM150 to RM200 (with effect from) 2022.

       “In 2021, the Childcare Assistance Scheme involving the provision of a monthly fee discount of RM50 to each child from the B40 group has been implemented in addition to the provision of a grant of RM300,000 to upgrade childcare centres (taska) and kindergartens (tadika), as well as a grant of RM300,000 for the establishment of a new taska,” he said.

       Meanwhile, for the theme of a green state, Chow said it has the highest number of manifesto points, at 11.

       “In total, three points are still in the process of implementation while the rest have been fulfilled.

       “Since 2008, the Penang government has focused on developing the state as a green state.

       “The state government ensures that the gazetted forest reserve area is increased but cannot be reduced.

       “Penang is one of the states that does not practice logging in its forest reserves.

       “In 2020, the area of forest reserves in Penang had been increased by 5.5% to an area of 5,386.77ha.

       “In line with that, a total of 97,981 trees have been planted by the Penang Island City Council; 61,779 trees by the Seberang Prai City Council; and 31,996 trees by the State Forestry Department from 2018 until now.

       “The recycling rate for the state of Penang is 51.18% and the domestic water tariff rate in Penang is still the lowest in the country,” he said.

       The presentation was attended by state leaders, captains of industry and representatives of non-governmental organisations.