The Penang government has spent over RM1 billion on welfare programmes since 2018, says chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said despite facing deficits and financial constraints, the state did not neglect public welfare.
“The total for this period is RM1.019 billion,” Chow said, adding that steps have been taken to control state expenditure without reducing the allocation for welfare initiatives.
Chow was speaking to reporters after announcing the Penang 2030 Festival here.
Among the welfare initiatives he was referring to were the state’s i-Sejahtera programme, which accounted for RM370 million; Covid-19-related expenditure amounting to RM174 million; and other programmes such as financial assistance to NGOs and allocations to non-Islamic places of worship.
“For many years, we have also provided support for public transport, paying Rapid Penang to operate bus services.
“We also subsidised ferry fares, and gave incentives to taxi drivers and school bus operators. This continues until today.”
He said the state has no plans to discontinue these programmes.
Separately, Chow hinted that the revised quit rent rates, aimed at increasing the state’s revenue, would be announced next week.
The new rates will come into effect on Jan 1.
Chow was previously reported as saying that the new rates have the potential to increase Penang’s revenue by 45%, or between RM50 million and RM100 million.
