LIM Guan Eng has hit back at the prime minister’s accusation that DAP will neglect rural development should the opposition win the next general election, saying Penang has, since 2008, spent almost 80% of its development funds on less-urbanised areas.

“It is not true what the PM said,” said the chief minister.

“From 2008 to last year, we spent 77% of our development funds in Seberang Prai, mainland Penang, which has more rural areas.

“Until last year, Penang, under Pakatan Harapan, spent almost RM2.38 billion to develop Seberang Prai.

“We spent only RM698 million on the island,” he told a press conference at his Komtar office today.

The funds, totalling RM3.07 billion, were channelled to various departments and state agencies, including the Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Penang Water Supply Corporation, Penang Development Corporation and local councils, for development and infrastructure-upgrading projects.

“We hope the PM can get the right facts. We have been committed to giving Penang a balanced development,” said the DAP secretary-general.

“We have been correcting the imbalance in development between the island and the mainland since taking over Penang in 2008.”

Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday said DAP would not prioritise rural development if the opposition ruled the country.

He told village leaders at the Convention for Village Development and Security Committees and Federal Village Development and Security Committees that although representatives from DAP were not featured in PH’s top line-up, the party was still dominant in the coalition.

“Our government is always concerned about rural communities. We should not fall for their incitement.

“DAP is the one that has absolute power, not the ones featured. DAP will not prioritise rural communities.” – August 23, 2017.