GE14 | Penang Pakatan Harapan unveiled its state election manifesto today, which contains 68 promises for the coalition to fulfil if they retain the state after the 14th general election.

At a packed ceramah in the Penang Chinese Town Hall, they vowed to continue the various infrastructure projects implemented in the state, including highways, the undersea tunnel, and the Penang Transport Master Plan, which incorporates the LRT and public bus systems, to address the state's traffic woes.

These include flood mitigation projects, as well as the upgrade of markets and community halls.

As pledged in the coalition manifesto, the state equivalent will also limit the chief minister's post to two terms.

Additionally, the state opposition leader will be made chair of the Public Accounts Committee, with funds to be provided for the upgrade of its office at the Penang legislative assembly.

The Penang Harapan manifesto also promises to enhance the eminence of Islam in the state, while treating other religions equally.

Senior citizens and disabled persons will see an increase in their annual allowance from RM130 to RM200. Penangites who earn less than RM5,000 annually will be entitled to RM300 for the state's health programme.

Cost of living financial aid will also be provided to women with a monthly income of less than RM2,000.

In terms of housing, Harapan pledged to build 75,361 low, low medium cost and affordable homes by 2025.

11 thrusts

On the whole, the Penang Harapan manifesto contains 11 thrusts, namely: competent, accountable and transparent governance; housing for all; building an entrepreunerial state; improving basic amenities; working towards a green state; focusing on development, education and skills; developing tourism, culture, arts, heritage and sports; establishing a welfare state; strengthening the status of Islam; creating a multiracial and harmonious society; and upholding the rights of Penang.

In his presentation, caretaker chief minister Lim Guan Eng reiterated Harapan's promise that the toll for the Penang Bridge would be abolished if Harapan takes over Putrajaya.

"They (BN) can call for the cancellation of the undersea tunnel, but not call for toll on the first bridge to be abolished, nor do they support the implementation of LRT.

"This means they do not deserve to be the Penang government," he said.

Earlier, state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow reminded Penangites of how BN would sabotage the state by cancelling the undersea tunnel project if it came to power.

Chow pointed to state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow wanting to "burn" the planned infrastructure projects under Harapan, and caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak saying that Penangites would get more than small projects if they ensured a BN victory in Penang.

"What an irony. The tunnel project is not new, as it had been mooted by BN in 2001, after the first Penang bridge could no longer cope with the traffic capacity," he said.

One family, one team

Bersatu state chairperson Marzuki Yahya, meanwhile, said Harapan is one family, one team with one major goal – retaining Penang.

With that, Harapan will "go forward to Putrajaya," he said to loud cheers from the crowd. 

Penang-born state Amanah comissioner Mujahid Yusof Rawa refuted claims that the state government had marginalised Islam and Muslims since taking over in 2008.

Since the federal opposition took over the state administration, he said, zakat collection had increased to RM70 million, and is expected to hit RM100 million in July this year. 

State PKR chief Mansor Othman, meanwhile, slammed BN for saying they wanted to "Save Penang." 

"Who is the thief, the robber and the crook?" he asked as the crowd shouted back, "Umno."

"So when they say want to save Penang, tell them 'pi rah' (go to hell)" he exclaimed.