PENANG is still reviewing its i-Sejahtera welfare schemes in line with the federal government’s decision to reduce the BR1M (1Malaysia People’s Aid) cash handouts in phases.

The i-Sejahtera scheme benefits various groups of recipients – senior citizens, housewives, newborns and special needs individuals.

The scheme, introduced in stages by the former opposition administration over the last two terms, had cost Penang RM412.63 million since 2008.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, in tabling the state’s budget for 2019, said it is appropriate to review the scheme to ensure the cash aid benefited those who truly need the money.

“If we continue the scheme, we will spend RM45 million next year.

“Up until last month, the state has spent RM30.85 million on 955 recipients,” he said in his speech.

Home for the homeless

The Penang government today also announced plans to build a transit centre for vagrants.

Chow said the centre will be set up through the “Empowering the Streets Citizens” programme, which involves the state government, private sector and non-government organisation.

The centre in a Penang Island City Council-owned shophouse on Jalan CY Choy will provide the vagrants with food, clothes and a comfortable home.

“The premises is being renovated by the Penang Development Corporation and is expected to be ready in January next year,” he said.

Chow also said an estimated RM560,000 will be allocated to train productive vagrants with skills and to provide a permanent home for the non-productive ones.

Better infrastructure

Meanwhile, the state has also allotted RM39.3 million for new roads and upgrading projects.

The state will spend RM2 million to improve access into villagers and upgrade kampung roads. The state will also get RM5 million from MARRIS (Malaysian Road Record Information System) for the purpose.

MARRIS will also provide RM100 million to Penang for the maintenance and repair of state roads.

In line with Penang’s ambition to be an international smart city by 2025, the state will also focus on information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Chow said the state plans to work closely with service provider TIME to widen high-speed broadband coverage with internet speeds of over 100Mps.

“This is the main point in succeeding in Industrial Revolution 4.0 and make Penang the hub for e-commerce, cloud computing, big data and Internet of Things.”

Affordable housing

The state will have a total of 97,242 units of affordable homes for the B40 and M40 groups, an increase from the earlier 75,362 units.

Since 2008, the state has built 28,195 affordable homes, with another 24,445 in various stages of construction.

Another 44,602 units are added to the number with planning permission approved and under various stages of planning by state and federal agencies.

Chow said by 2025, the state will provide 27,080 units of homes in 18 projects across five districts.

Among the projects are in Bandar Cassia (Phase One), Jelutong, Jalan SP Chelliah, Teluk Kumbar, Butterworth, Permatang Tok Suboh and Kampung Kepala Gajah.

Chow said as of September 30, 91,408 people have applied to the state housing department to buy low cost, low-medium cost and affordable homes.

The state issues offer letters to 108,541 applicants and 26,139 of them have accepted the offers. another 43,052 applications are on the waiting list.

Meanwhile, Chow said the state has also identified seven plots to build future PPR (people’s public housing) projects.

“The state will take a more aggressive approach in making sure the affordable housing supply matches the demand so we can cut short the waiting period for applicants,” he said.

The state government is also providing RM8.4 million for the maintenance of public housing projects, and RM6.8 million for the maintenance of private low and low-medium cost housing schemes.

Safe, clean and healthy Penang

Chow also announced that the state will spend RM7.4 million to install 150 closed circuit cameras (CCTVs) on the island next year, while another RM2.5 million will be spent on CCTVs for the mainland.

Meanwhile, about RM9.3 million will be spent on installing and maintaining LED street lights.

To keep Penang clean, the administration will spend RM57.25 million for cleaning and solid waste management on Penang island and RM35.26 million in Seberang Prai.

Chow also said the state will continue its Mammo-Penang programme that has benefited over 11,000 women since 2015, with an allocation of RM900,000 next year.

He also said the state will use the Crush Aedes Totally programme to combat dengue fever next year, with an annual allocation of RM423,000 set aside.

Penang’s budget for 2019 is in line with its Penang 2030 vision, with the theme of “family focused, green and smart state that inspires a nation”. – November 9, 2018.