The government has not been discriminatory in establishing urban transformation centres (UTCs) in the country, said Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

He stressed that opposition-held Penang and Selangor did not have UTCs because "we have yet to find suitable sites there."

"Efforts are in the pipeline in Kelantan and Terengganu. We are not being choosy about the states under the ruling government or opposition-held states.

"All states will have UTCs eventually... it is about timing. The governments in the two states (Penang and Selangor) must offer suitable buildings to us,” he told a press conference after opening the RM23.8-million second phase of the swimming pool and hostel of the Labuan International School in Labuan last night.

Mohd Irwan added that the government would soon announce the setting up of a UTC in Negri Sembilan.

The UTC in Labuan has been set up. The centre will be officially opened on Feb 6,” he said.

- Bernama