GEORGE TOWN, May 26 — Penang lawmakers have criticised the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) for awarding a six-month bonus totalling RM6.7 million to its staff despite the state’s deepening budget deficit. During debates in the state assembly, DAP and PKR representatives, including Joseph Ng, Lim Guan Eng, and Lee Khai Loon, questioned the rationale behind the payout, arguing that PDC, as a government-linked company, should prioritise debt repayment and financial accountability over generous bonuses.
Lim raised further concerns over delayed infrastructure projects and controversial land deals, while PKR’s Gooi Hsiao-Leung revealed that Penang’s consolidated funds had plummeted to RM199 million from RM2.2 billion in 2022. Lawmakers urged a transparent review of the state’s finances and called on the federal government to implement equitable fiscal policies, including SST revenue sharing and performance-based grants to ensure Penang’s financial sustainability.
