The Penang government has announced some relief measures in its Budget 2016 to help Penangites overcome the six percent Goods and Services Tax imposed by the federal government in April this year.

In line with this year’s budget theme of ‘Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development’, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Penangites who own low-cost and low-medium cost homes will be exempted from paying assessment ( cukai pintu ) next year.

Lim said the state and its agencies will bear the GST cost of RM46.2 million per year.

“The state government has instructed the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to bear the burden of the GST for 2016, an amount of RM19.36 million, which will not be paid by the people,” Lim said when announcing Penang’s Budget 2016 in the state asssembly today.

Lim said this measure will cost the state government RM11.49 million next year.

Meanwhile, other allocations announced by Lim include-half month bonus or minimum RM700 for the state’s civil servant, to be paid at the end of December this year.

There will also be bonus of RM300 per year for teachers and staff of religious schools and Chinese independent schools and RM200 for teachers of Islamic kindergarten, and Thafiz and Pondok schools.

Swimming pool, public hall

The total bonus at the end of December 2015 is about RM5.22 million.

Other significant allocations are:

  • RM38 million for high impact projects and flood mitigation;RM20 million for public infrastructure (banquet hall and swimming pool in Seberang Perai)

  • RM9.43 million for Permatang Pauh to re-acquire land for building of a mosque, religious school and grave site for the Qaryah Masjid Cherok To Kun Atas and a site for a public hall for Permatang Pasir;

  • RM22.47 million for flood mitigation in Permatang Pauh which includes a new bridge, pump house and to upgrade Sungai Rawa in the Padang Lalang, Permatang Rawa and Kg Tanah Liat area plus RM9.9 million to implement other infrastructure projects in these areas;

    • RM0.9 million to upgrade the state mosque; andRM8.5 million to complete the District Syariah Court in Seberang Perai Tengah.