Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association 141st Anniversary Dinner

Speech by Chief Minister of Penang

for Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association 141st Anniversary Dinner

Berjaya Penang Hotel, Burma Road
7.30pm, 25 September 2018

 

President of Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association,
Dato’ Lim Chee Tong

Organizing Chairman, Ts. Jeffery Koay Kai Chin

All Past Presidents, Trustees and Members of PMBBMDA

Yang Berhormat Ahli-Ahli EXCO Negeri Pulau Pinang

Yang Berhormat Ahli-Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri

Yang Berhormat Chief Police Officer, Dato’ Seri Thaiveegan A/L Arumugam

President of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Dato’ Seri Hong Yeam Wah

Directors, General Manager & Representative of all Government Agencies

President, Chairman & Representative of Related Bodies, Association & Institution-Institution

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Seri, Dato’-Dato’, Datin-Datin

Distinguished Guests

Members of the Press

Ladies & Gentlemen,

A very good evening to all our distinguished guests gathered here tonight to celebrate the 141st Anniversary Dinner of the Penang Master Builders & Building Materials Dealers Association (PMBBMDA). I must say that I am very pleased to be able to join such a distinguished group of attendees who have collectively contributed significantly to the building and construction industry in Penang.

First of all, I would like to thank the PMBBMDA for inviting me to this dinner gathering and on behalf of the Penang State Government, I would like to congratulate PMBBMDA on its 141st anniversary dinner.

As I gathered from your President’s speech, there are several areas of concern for your Association i.e.
1. less construction projects in Penang for the past few years
2. employment of foreign workers for your industry, and
3. delays in implementation of projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan.

According to CIDB’s statistics, for the year 2016 and 2017, the total value of projects awarded for Penang State was only RM8 billion each. Initial estimates from CIDB, shows that for the first half of 2018, Penang registered 173 projects with a value of RM3.48 billion. This compares well with the figures for first half 2017 at 187 projects valued at RM 2.87 billion.

However, I would like to assure all of you that the State Government is keenly aware of this issue and has taken several proactive steps to ensure the continued development of the state. Since the formation of the new Pakatan Harapan government in Putrajaya, we would also ensure that more development funds could be channeled to Penang. We are actively engaging with the new Federal government to pursue outstanding allocations for development projects such as for flood mitigation project and others for the state.

We are also actively promoting Penang as the choice destination for new investments, both foreign and domestic. In this respect, the State Government has done extremely well. In 2017 we have achieved more than RM10 billion in investments, out of which more than RM8 billion is FDI.

The state is also continuing with developments projects under the annual State Budget. Another area where the State government has been actively promoting is the affordable housing sub-sector. We believe this sub-sector can help arrest the decline in construction housing projects.

With regards to the employment of foreign workers in the construction industry, the State government is concern that any issues affecting the employment of foreign workers would jeopardized the progress of on-going projects in Penang. Therefore the State government is supportive of the Association’s initiative to engage with the relevant departments to streamline and improve the process for employment of foreign workers for the construction industry.

From the above initiatives, all of you would realized that the Penang State Government is serious and sincere in fulfilling its obligations and promises to the people of Penang. In order to generate further growth in our state economy, we would also open up more avenues for public-private sector co-operation. I believe that with the resilience of our people (especially all of you from the building construction industry) and the commitment of the state government we can further progress Penang State in the years to come.

Last month, I've launched the Penang2030 initiative, a holistic and inclusive vision for the state as we march towards year 2030. Penang2030 takes into account every views and ideas from various segment of the society, organisations and individuals. This is to ensure everyone is heard in making Penang a family-focused, green and smart state that inspires the nation. Therefore, I hope PMBBMDA would play its role as well in this.

In closing, I would once again want to thank PMBBMDA for your invitation and your past efforts in working closely together with the State Government to develop Penang. 

Thank you.