BUTTERWORTH, August 2 – Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) of Penang have jointly launched the “Manifesto Perpaduan Pulau Pinang 2023” featuring 16 main themes for the upcoming state elections (PRN). The comprehensive manifesto was presented by Chairman of the Manifesto Perpaduan Pulau Pinang Committee, Zairil Khir Johari, at Butterworth Arena on Tuesday night. The 16 main themes encompass a wide range of areas aimed at uplifting the well-being of Penang’s citizens and fostering socio-economic growth in the state.
Among the key themes are welfare enhancement for the people, promotion of socio-economic well-being, and the creation of high-skilled job opportunities. Additionally, the manifesto emphasizes preserving the values of Islam, enhancing major infrastructure, and balancing development in rural areas. Other vital aspects of the manifesto include nurturing human capital, ensuring affordable housing for all, empowering women and youth, securing food supply chains, bolstering the tourism and service sectors, and implementing traffic management initiatives.
Furthermore, the “Manifesto Perpaduan Pulau Pinang 2023” underscores the importance of tourism and service sector enhancement, traffic management initiatives, fostering harmony among diverse communities, safeguarding democracy, protecting Penang’s rights, and building a resilient environment against climate change. The manifesto also addresses 15 crucial matters:
- Improving assistance programs for senior citizens, single mothers, persons with disabilities (OKU), and the hardcore poor.
- Attracting impactful investments through the development of the Silicon Island Project, designed with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, projected to contribute RM7 billion to the local economy during its construction phase.
- Establishing the “Meditech City” in Batu Kawan and the RM100 million GBS By The Sea Project.
- Providing RM1,000 aid to each Hajj pilgrim from the B40 group.
- Commencing the construction of the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Bukit Bendera Cable Car projects.
- Offering RM600 annual assistance to e-hailing drivers and personal accident insurance to motorcycle e-hailing riders, while continuing to provide RM600 yearly aid to taxi and school bus drivers.
- Allocating RM60 million for aided schools by the year 2030.
- Achieving 220,000 affordable housing units and 22,000 rent-to-own units by the year 2030.
- Introducing a Special Rental Housing Scheme for youth or unmarried individuals.
- Providing living aid to paddy farmers, vegetable growers, and fishing net assistance to fishermen.
- One-off RM500 Golden Wedding Program for newlyweds.
- Constructing the Tanjong Bungah-Teluk Bahang Dual Carriageway, Diverging Diamond Interchange at Juru Interchange, Sungai Bakap Bypass, and completing the Ayer Itam Bypass to Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.
- Allocating RM10 million for Non-Islamic Places of Worship (RIBI) by 2028.
- Allocating RM2 million annually as grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- Providing free laptops to B40 students who secure offers to public higher education institutions (IPTA).
The “Manifesto Perpaduan Pulau Pinang 2023” encompasses a robust and diverse set of initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of Penang’s citizens across various sectors, solidifying the commitment of PH and BN to the progress and welfare of the state.
