Penang Gerakan claims that 18 years of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) have failed to resolve the state’s traffic woes, calling for an independent expert review to address the long-running issue.
At its annual state convention, the party passed a resolution blaming poor planning and lack of execution for worsening congestion, which it said has affected both residents and tourists.
“The state convention hereby urges the Penang government to rope in experts to get their views and to implement short and long-term measures to address traffic related issues,” it said.
On land taxes, the state Gerakan chapter strongly opposed the state government’s planned increase in land tax and strata parcel rates, which are set to take effect in 2026 and 2027.
The party described the hikes as excessive and out of touch with the people’s struggles, especially amid rising living costs and stagnant wages.
“These sudden and steep increases are not just poorly timed, they are unjust. We urge all state assembly members, whether in government or opposition, to stand with the rakyat and demand the state government cancel these hikes,” the resolution stated.
The party also called for a complete rethink of the state’s land tax policy.
“A more rakyat-friendly land tax framework must be introduced – one that is fair, transparent and takes into account the people’s ability to pay,” the resolution read.
The party also passed resolutions asking the state to cancel a planned water tariff hike next year, noting that the 2024 increase brought in record profits but service-related issues remain unresolved.
Gerakan warned of poor financial management, pointing out that state reserves had dropped from over RM1 billion to nearly zero, forcing Penang to borrow RM100 million from Putrajaya.
It urged cost-cutting, including stopping new official car purchases and the Buletin Mutiara state newspaper.
At the federal level, Gerakan expressed concern over Malaysia’s RM1.3 trillion debt and the outflow of foreign investors. It called for economic reforms grounded in reality, not on “potential” foreign investment figures.
The party also called for a substantial increase in aid to the people in the 2026 budget, saying the RM100 one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah was not enough to ease cost-of-living pressures.
