THE Penang government wants the Pakatan Harapan federal government to be fairer than its Barisan Nasional (BN) predecessor in dispersing funds to the states.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang had been sidelined in many aspects for the last 11 years when it was an opposition-controlled state, with applications for funds ignored by the then federal government.

In 2016, Penang was in the bottom three in allocations received from Putrajaya, receiving only RM216 million or 3.8% of the total funds allotted.

Chow said even when the state asked for RM12.56 billion and RM13.87 billion under the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plan, the amounts it received were “very, very little”, and would be channeled to the relevant ministry and not to the state directly.

He also said Putrajaya must shed its perception that Penang is a rich and advanced state, which does not need federal help.

“We cannot deny that Penang received little funds from Putrajaya since 2008, especially allocations for infrastructure, public facilities, tourism and others.

“We hope Putrajaya can also relook into the way funds are distributed so Penang can also benefit from the country’s prosperity.

“Now that we are under the same leadership, many issues need to be relooked into to ensure fairer and more equal power sharing.

“But as a state, our hands are still tied and we cannot simply go against the provisions of the federal constitution,” he said in his winding up speech at the state legislative assembly today.

The constitution lists down the respective jurisdictions of the states and federal governments.

Earlier this week, Gooi Hsiao Leung (Bukit Tengah-PH) also argued in the House that decentralisation of power by the federal government would make power sharing between the federal and state governments fairer, more equitable and more effective for Penang’s long term development.

He suggested that the state set up an independent commission to study recommendations for the decentralisation.

By decentralising some federal powers to state governments, the states could have more administrative powers and keep more revenue generated from the states themselves through taxes.

Gooi also said states should be allowed to form their own public services.

On Penang governor Abdul Rahman Abbas’ proposal to put the state legislative assembly and the state government offices in the same complex, Chow said the matter must be discussed by the state government.

He said putting both under the same roof was a new suggestion.

“If we approve it, we must find the funds for it. We hope the federal government will also agree with the project.

“But no decision has been made on the matter yet. The state government will discuss it,” he said.

The state legislative assembly building, a colonial heritage structure on Lebuh Light, is currently under renovation and conservation.

The single-storey building is too cramped to hold assembly sittings, leading to plans to build a new building for the state legislative assembly.

The current sitting, which ends today, has been held at Dewan Sri Pinang. – May 3, 2019.