Latest news with #MuhammadFauzi
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang state financial performance shows significant decline, say Opposition
GEORGE TOWN: The state government's financial performance recorded a 52% decline in consolidated funds, says Opposition Leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff. He cited the Auditor-General's Report from October 2024, which indicated a drastic decline in the state's financial performance. "The revenue account fell 52% in 2023 from 2022, while the consolidated trust account showed a 2.9% decrease. "This comparison is unbalanced, especially when the state government's expenditure increased by 13.9% while state revenue decreased by 0.4% in the same period. "If this situation continues, the state will face a critical cash flow risk. "This could affect the state's financial management and administrative expenses, including the salaries of civil servants," he said during a press conference at the opposition room at the August House on Wednesday (May 21) along Light Street, George Town, Penang. Muhammad Fauzi (PN-Sungai Dua) said the state needs a financial recovery plan for the next five years to address these financial risks promptly and thoroughly. "A review of critical and non-critical expenditures is necessary. "They need to improve their administrative structure and procedures so that the people of Penang do not fall victim to the state's management weaknesses," he said. He emphasised the importance of raising these issues as the opposition to represent the people's voice and prevent them from suffering due to administrative shortcomings. "Penangites deserve a responsible government that knows how to prioritise. The state should not use policies to pressure Penangites and increase charges to boost state revenue," he said. Muhammad Fauzi addressed Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's plans to raise state revenue through quit rent arrears collection, state land sales, and reviewing various fees and charges. On Tuesday (May 20), Chow outlined strategies to increase state revenue, including selling more state land, collecting an estimated RM6mil in quit rent arrears, and reviewing land title conversion processes, liquor licence fees, entertainment duties, and hotel room fees. 'The state government is also aiming to reduce expenditure, but costs continue to rise each year due to salary realignments, which increase emoluments,' Chow said in reply to a question from Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun) during the state assembly. Other revenue efforts include higher animal treatment fees and revised ornamental plant rental rates at Penang Botanic Gardens.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang opposition leader questions Mutiara LRT project costs and impact
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 — Penang opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PAS-Sungai Dua) has called for greater transparency regarding the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Penang. He questioned the rising costs of the multibillion-ringgit project and its effectiveness in addressing the state's worsening traffic congestion. 'The government continues to push the LRT and Pan Island Link (PIL) projects as ultimate solutions to traffic congestion, but we need to know: what is the actual cost of this LRT project? Is it truly the best solution, and most importantly, is it worth it?' he said during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech in the state legislative assembly today. Muhammad Fauzi also urged the state government to release the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) report for the project, calling it a critical document for a mega project of this scale. 'This project will undoubtedly worsen traffic congestion during its construction phase. What measures will the government take to address this issue?' he asked. He further inquired about the status of land acquisition for the LRT project. 'The government has said land acquisition will be carried out in stages and maintained at a nominal rate. Has this process been completed? How many families or businesses will be affected?' he asked. Muhammad Fauzi raised concerns about underground infrastructure works such as water pipes, sewerage systems, and utility cables, which need to be relocated for the project. 'A project of this scale requires early management of underground utilities to avoid delays and additional costs. Has a timeline been set for these relocations, and are their costs included in the overall project budget?' he asked. He also questioned whether Penangites would widely use the LRT once it is operational. 'We need to know what percentage of Penangites are expected to use this LRT. Are the proposed station locations aligned with the daily routes of residents traveling between homes, workplaces, towns, and industrial areas?' he asked. Muhammad Fauzi suggested that improving the public bus system might be a more practical alternative. 'The state can expand the existing Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) services, which are more effective,' he said, adding that the government should compare the costs and socio-economic impacts of other public transport options before committing to the LRT. He pointed out that while the LRT was promoted as a tourist attraction with a station near Penang International Airport, a Rapid Bus service already serves the area. Regarding the proposed alignment connecting Penang Island and Penang Sentral in Butterworth, he asked whether it would involve an underwater tunnel or an elevated bridge. 'Each method comes with different costs and impacts, particularly on the marine environment and coastal ecosystems. Long-term safety and maintenance risks must also be considered, especially if an underwater route is chosen, which would require ventilation, drainage, and specialised technology,' he said. Muhammad Fauzi urged the government to conduct a detailed study on the alignment. 'What are the technical and financial justifications for the proposed route?' he asked. He emphasised that the opposition is not against development but wants projects that genuinely benefit the people. 'We do not want to see Penang become an elite city that marginalises ordinary citizens to benefit developers,' he said.
The Star
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Penang PAS leader apologises to Rayer over racism claims
Jelutong MP RSN Rayer (second from right) shaking hands with Penang's Opposition Leader, Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff, (in blue) after the defamation suit, with them are Rayer's lawyer Simon Murali (extreme right) and Muhammad Fauzi's lawyer Yusfarizal Yusoff (extreme left) outside a Sessions Court in George Town, Penang. GEORGE TOWN: Penang's Opposition Leader, Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff, has issued a formal apology to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer for comments he made about the latter in 2023. Muhammad Fauzi from PAS read out his statement of apology before Sessions judge Helmi Ghani in open court and admitted he was wrong to claim that Rayer was being racist, arrogant, and irresponsible. Muhammad Fauzi said that his statement was made based on unverified information from several individuals who met him about a fire incident in Solok Sungai Pinang on June 2, 2023. "During a speech on June 2, 2023, at a Perikatan Nasional talk in Balik Pulau, I made statements against the Jelutong MP (Rayer), relying on information from several people who met me regarding a fire incident. "I made a mistake by taking verbal information from several of those people who were at that time in an emotional state. "I did not check with the residents and the public about the validity and accuracy of the verbal information relating to the incident," he said in court on Thursday (April 24). Muhammad Fauzi, who is also the Penang PAS Chief, said he did not want to prolong the matter. 'To avoid prolonging the matter further, and to focus on more meaningful work, like developing the nation and the welfare of the people of Penang, I offer this public and unconditional apology to the plaintiff (YB RSN Rayer). "I willingly withdraw the statement I made during the talk on June 2, 2023 as described in the statement of claim. "I hope that we can turn a new page and move forward with the spirit of unity for the well-being, harmony and prosperity of the Malaysia we love," he said. Muhammad Fauzi was ordered to pay Rayer RM10,000 in legal costs apart from the apology. In Sept 2023, Rayer filed a defamation suit against Muhammad Fauzi for comments made about him at a talk. In his statement of claim, Rayer said Muhammad Fauzi had lied in his speech and had depicted him (Rayer) as being racist, arrogant and irresponsible in carrying out his duties as an MP. Rayer alleged that Muhammad Fauzi had claimed that Rayer had told victims of a fire in Jelutong that he did not mind losing Malay and Indian votes. Rayer said Fauzi claimed that the victims had scolded Rayer and his aides for visiting them only after a team from PAS had done so. Rayer said he had met the fire victims in the morning that day, while the group from PAS visited them at around 3pm. Rayer was represented by lawyer Simon Murali while Yusfarizal Yusoff represented Muhammad Fauzi.
