Since Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Koh Tsu Koon has said Penang stands to benefit from as much as 10 of the 12 National Key Economic Areas announced by the government, this should translate into the placement of a proportionate number of Entry Points Projects (EPPs) in the northern state.

As Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has pointed out, however, not even one of the 19 EPPs involving RM67 billion in investments and the increase of RM35 billion to the gross national income (GNI) have been located in the state.

“Penang’s failure to snare even one out of the 19 EPPs is unfair, discriminatory and unacceptable when there are only 13 states in Malaysia excluding the Federal Territory,” said Lim, who is also secretary-general of the DAP.  

Koh, who was the chief minister of Penang before Lim, had announced at the Penang Chinese Town Hall two days ago that Penangites stand to benefit from the focus of 10 out of 12 NKEAs on the development of Penang.

Amongst the 10 out of 12 NKEAs in Penang that Koh said said would benefit are the electronics industry, communications, tourism and health care.

“Penang hopes that he (Koh) would provide details... Based on the RM67 billion in investments, Penang should benefit at least RM 5 billion on a proportional basis as one of the 13 beneficiary states.

“Koh should quickly provide details of when and where the RM5 billion in investments will be distributed as soon as possible,” Lim added.

1 job = RM2 million?

The chief minister also queried as to why the federal government said only 35,000 jobs would be generated from the RM67billion in investments under the 19 EPPs as that would mean only RM2 million per job.

“As compared to the 2010 total private domestic and foreign investments of RM 47,177 million will help create 97,319 jobs or less than RM500,000 per job.

“Such great disparity requires explanations as to what type of jobs are created under the 19 EPPs that needs RM2 million to generate one job,” he said.

DPM wants Lim Guan Eng to be fair to all