Latest news with #Chow Kon Yeow
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang positions AI as key driver for economic growth, digital transformation
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 8 — Artificial intelligence (AI) will be a key driver of Penang's competitiveness and long-term economic sustainability, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today. He said that AI plays a crucial role in empowering digital education, enhancing the efficiency of smart public services, and stimulating the growth of digital entrepreneurship, which will foster an inclusive innovation economy. 'As we all know, Penang has long been the centre of the country's technological development. 'As a state that focuses on a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy, we have identified AI as the main driver of competitiveness and long-term sustainability,' Chow said in his speech officiating the AI Horizon 2025 conference at Spice Arena here. Chow said that the Penang Digital Economy Master Plan (2025-2030) outlines three main development components: business digitalisation, the development of local digital talent, and the strengthening of the start-up and high-tech ecosystem, including the construction of AI hubs and data centres. He framed the AI Horizon 2025 conference as more than just a technology exhibition, but as a platform to deepen the understanding, application, and innovation of AI at both national and global levels. This, he noted, aligns with the federal government's aspiration under the 13th Malaysia Plan to make Malaysia a regional leader in AI by 2030. 'The state government believes that preparations for the digital future cannot be delayed,' Chow said, adding that technological developments must be introduced as early as primary and secondary school, as well as in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and higher education institutions. He added that the strong participation in the conference, where over 50 local and international technology companies are exhibiting, demonstrates that Malaysians are ready to embrace technological advancement and have the potential to be leaders in the AI era. AI Horizon 2025, which is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors, will feature a showcase of AI technologies, conferences with 25 renowned speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, and China, and national-level AI competitions.
Free Malaysia Today
03-08-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang to receive treated water from Perak by 2031
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said more water is needed, especially when the Penang Development Corporation is opening up more areas for industries. (Johnshen Lee pic) GEORGE TOWN : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says negotiations for the Perak‑Penang water project will begin soon, with the cross‑border supply expected to be operational by 2030 or 2031. 'The negotiations with Perak will commence very soon, and then the project will be implemented. The target is 2030 to 2031,' he told reporters on the sidelines of the 'GBS by the Sea' launch here today. 'We will be able to receive a few hundred million litres of water supply per day, which is good news for the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), as it opens up more areas for industries,' he said. He noted that 'one or two big investors' require large tracts of land, which means the state must work harder to provide supporting infrastructure such as water, power, roads, and bridges. In July, it was reported that Perak had agreed to sell treated water to Penang under the project. The original plan involved transferring raw water from Perak, but the current proposal is for Perak to build a treatment plant and send treated water instead. Penang's main water source, Sungai Muda, is projected to dry up by 2030. On a separate matter, Chow urged Putrajaya to leverage Malaysia's Asean chairmanship to negotiate a better deal than the final 19% tariff imposed by the US on some Malaysian exports. 'Although all the details are not finalised yet, there is still an opportunity to negotiate better deals,' he said, adding that more clarity is expected by December.
Free Malaysia Today
03-08-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang defers water tariff adjustment to July 2026
SPAN said that the new tariffs were part of efforts towards a more sustainable water tariff structure, while enabling state water operators to better cover the operational and maintenance costs of water supply systems. (Envato Elements pic) GEORGE TOWN : Penang has deferred the implementation of the water tariff adjustment under the tariff setting mechanism for the second implementation period by one year to July 1, 2026. Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the deferment would benefit 715,957 water consumers in the state. He said the new tariff, which was supposed to take effect today, is expected to increase the Penang Water Supply Corporation's revenue by about RM20 million over six months in 2026. The extra revenue will be used for water supply service upgrade projects, the details of which will be announced later, he said in a statement today. 'For the new tariff, the average increase in monthly water bills for 79.88% of the 613,660 domestic (household) consumers in Penang who use up to 35 cubic metres per month will be between RM0.30 and RM2.55. 'The average increase in water bills for 95.38% of the 98,155 non-domestic (business) consumers in Penang who use up to 200 cubic metres per month will be between RM3.60 and RM35.70 per month,' he said. Yesterday, the media reported that water tariffs for domestic consumers in almost all states in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan would be raised from Aug 1, following the gazetting of the new water tariff structure announced by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN). The tariff adjustment involves an average rise of 20 sen per cubic metre, bringing the new rate to RM2.75 compared to RM2.55 previously. However, this adjustment does not involve domestic users in Perak. SPAN previously said that the implementation of the new tariffs was part of efforts towards a more sustainable water tariff structure, while enabling state water operators to better cover the operational and maintenance costs of water supply systems. Chow also announced the appointment of 19 new commissioners to the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) for the term of Aug 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. He said state housing and environment committee chairman S Sundarajoo had been appointed as the executive councillor in charge of coordinating matters related to HEB on behalf of the state government. 'Congratulations are in order, and it is hoped that HEB will continue to uphold its mandate and empower the socio-economic development of the Indian community in the state,' he said. Those appointed also included Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, senator Dr A Lingeshwaran, Bagan Dalam assemblyman K Kumaran, Batu Uban assemblyman A Kumaresan, and Penang MIC chairman J Dhinagaran.
Malay Mail
01-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang postpones water tariff hike to July 2026, chief minister confirms
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 1 — The Penang government has deferred the implementation of a new water tariff by nearly a year, delaying the scheduled hike from this month to July 1, 2026. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the adjustment, which falls under the Second Implementation Period (TP2) of the Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM), had initially been set to take effect today. 'The one-year postponement is expected to benefit 715,957 water users in Penang,' Chow said in a statement issued today. Under the revised tariff structure, the average increase for 79.88 per cent of domestic users — or 613,660 households using up to 35 cubic metres of water monthly — will range between RM0.30 and RM2.55 per month. For non-domestic users, 95.38 per cent of the state's 98,155 commercial consumers using up to 200 cubic metres per month will see their bills rise by RM3.60 to RM35.70 monthly on average. Chow said the revised tariff is expected to generate an additional RM20 million in revenue for Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) over a six-month period in 2026. 'These funds will be used to upgrade the state's overall water supply services,' he said, adding that details of the projects would be announced in due course. In previous coverage, Malay Mail reported that the new tariff had been approved by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) as part of a nationwide rationalisation to ensure the financial sustainability of water operators. PBAPP had said the last tariff review in Penang was over 10 years ago and that the proposed adjustment was necessary to support infrastructure upgrades and rising operational costs. Consumer groups and Opposition politicians had raised concerns about the impact on lower-income households, with some urging the state government to delay implementation or offer targeted assistance. In response, Chow had said the state would consider ways to cushion the effects on vulnerable groups — a position now reflected in today's announcement.
Free Malaysia Today
24-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Chow welcomes RM100 aid but hopes for more holistic solutions
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the RM100 one-off cash aid is still appreciated, acknowledging that it would cost Putrajaya billions of ringgit. (Johnshen Lee pic) PETALING JAYA : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow has welcomed the government's RM100 one-off cash aid for Malaysian adults, but expressed hope that more holistic measures would be introduced to mitigate the rising cost of living. Chow said the RM100 cash aid under Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) was still appreciated, acknowledging that it would cost Putrajaya billions of ringgit. 'However, I believe the people are looking forward to more comprehensive forms of assistance, such as initiatives that ease the cost of doing business, or infrastructure projects that create jobs and spur growth,' he said, according to the Penang government's news organ, Buletin Mutiara. He acknowledged that Putrajaya was facing financial constraints currently. This morning, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the one-off payment would be channelled through the MyKad and was in conjunction with the upcoming National Day celebration. He said the cash could be used between Aug 31 and Dec 31 to purchase basic necessities from more than 4,100 outlets, including hypermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus, Econsave, and 99 Speedmart. Chow acknowledged that Malaysia was facing domestic and foreign economic pressures, and said Anwar should be given the room and time to navigate these issues, including the US tariffs. 'Anwar should be given a free hand to mediate and mitigate the current situation. He deserves more time to address these concerns in a meaningful way,' said the DAP leader.
