Latest news with #TunRamliNgahTalib
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Penang govt replaces aging fleet of cars to reduce maintenance costs
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has replaced its aging fleet with 15 new Toyota Camry 2.5V (AT) (CBU) cars to reduce rising maintenance costs, which currently average RM42,144 per vehicle. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that, as a matter of policy, vehicles for Exco members and senior officials are typically replaced every six years. The current fleet was purchased in 2019, following the initial replacement cycle that began in 2013. 'The older vehicles are still in use, primarily for carpooling among officers who require transportation. The vehicles are not being sold or left unused,' he said during his winding-up speech on the opening address by the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at today's state legislative assembly. He added that the state government has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these cars over their service period. Last Tuesday, Chow confirmed the procurement of 15 Toyota Camrys by the state government at a total cost of RM3.31 million, inclusive of sales tax and excise duties, equivalent to RM220,783 per unit. Ten are allocated to Exco members, three to former officials, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The vehicles were handed over on April 4.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Penang govt replaces Toyota Camry as its fleet vehicle
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has replaced its aging fleet with 15 new Toyota Camry 2.5V (AT) (CBU) cars to reduce rising maintenance costs, which currently average RM42,144 per vehicle. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that, as a matter of policy, vehicles for Exco members and senior officials are typically replaced every six years. The current fleet was purchased in 2019, following the initial replacement cycle that began in 2013. 'The older vehicles are still in use, primarily for carpooling among officers who require transportation. The vehicles are not being sold or left unused,' he said during his winding-up speech on the opening address by the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at today's state legislative assembly. He added that the state government has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these cars over their service period. Last Tuesday, Chow confirmed the procurement of 15 Toyota Camrys by the state government at a total cost of RM3.31 million, inclusive of sales tax and excise duties, equivalent to RM220,783 per unit. Ten are allocated to Exco members, three to former officials, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The vehicles were handed over on April 4.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘Assistance scheme must be more strategic, sustainable'
PENANG'S i-Sejahtera programme needs to be continued with a more targeted and inclusive approach, prioritising those who truly need assistance, says a backbencher. Connie Tan (PH-Seri Delima) said this was in line with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib's call for the state government to continue with the programme. She said the Governor's speech carried a profound meaning, that Penang government should strengthen this programme in a more sustainable, strategic and integrated manner. 'One of the approaches that can be considered is the integration of resources between state governments, the Federal Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to form a more comprehensive and sustainable social support ecosystem. 'Countries like Japan, South Korea and Singapore offer interesting examples, that is through the Silver Support Scheme where cash assistance is only given to the elderly who genuinely lack savings or family support,' she said when debating the motion of thanks to Ramli. Tan said schemes such as Healthier SG and the Community Health Assistance Scheme offered by Singapore provided regular health check-ups and basic treatments on a subsidised basis to those in need. She said the i-Sejahtera programme had the potential to evolve into a social development platform that supported active and dignified ageing. However, she stressed that the state government must ensure that the scheme was carefully reviewed and improved as the intention was to strengthen and refine it for the benefit of all. The i-Sejahtera programme is an annual financial aid initiative designed to assist residents, particularly senior citizens, disabled individuals, single mothers and housewives. Meanwhile, Penang Opposition leader Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff said the annual RM60,000 allocation received by opposition members in the state assembly should be increased. 'I appeal for each opposition assemblyman to be granted half of the allocation received by government assemblymen, covering both supplies and infrastructure,' said Fauzi. He said the current amount was insufficient to assist people in opposition-represented areas. Chow was earlier quoted as saying that RM60,000 allocation for each opposition member of the Penang Legislative Assembly would be maintained this year. He said the state government had no intention of increasing allocations to opposition assemblymen, considering that it had appointed coordinating officers in those areas. Elected representatives in the ruling coalition each receive an annual allocation of RM500,000.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang MJLLS converting undersea tunnel into bridge
GEORGE TOWN: The state government is considering a new design change for the Penang Third Link project from an undersea tunnel to a bridge across the Penang Strait. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said a feasibility study was finalised in 2023, to include the possibility of a new design, either a bridge or an alternative design. 'The feasibility study for this alternative design will be completed in the near future and the new design is expected to be finalised after the study is completed. 'The Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) and all appropriate assessments will be carried out after the conceptual design is finalised,' he said when winding up the debate on the opening address by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Earlier, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Third Line project will likely change its alignment and design. On Feb 26, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the feasibility study for the tunnel project is still at the research stage and the state government was looking into several matters, including the expansion of the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) port, which involves the alignment of the project. The undersea tunnel project along the 6.5-kilometre stretch connecting Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam on the mainland is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The state assembly session continues tomorrow.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang To Consider Banning Sale Of Electronic Cigarettes If Act 852 Fails To Produce Positive Outcome
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is prepared to consider banning the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes if the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) fails to produce positive outcomes. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said a mechanism to regulate the supply of electronic cigarettes has been introduced under Act 852, which is currently in the product registration phase and scheduled for enforcement on October 1. He said the state government will closely review the enforcement mechanism and formulate a comprehensive strategy to curb vape use in Penang, emphasising that the matter must be handled strategically to prevent the emergence of illegal markets and smuggling activities as unintended consequences. 'The issue is very complicated. If we implement a comprehensive sales ban, we will face several challenges, among them is our state border, which is close to Kedah and Perak, because users can gettheir supply in Kulim or Parit Buntar, and this will be difficult in terms of enforcement. 'Secondly, banning the sale of vapes does not necessarily stop users from vaping, but will push them to the illegal market, which may encourage smuggling. This is one of the aspects we have to consider,' he said He said this when winding up the debate on the opening speech by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at the State Assembly sitting here today. However, Gooi emphasised that the state government remains firm in its stance on the issue, consistently supporting the ban on the use of electronic cigarettes, particularly among minors, and discouraging the sale of all smoking products, including vapes, in line with efforts to safeguard public health. He also said that the enforcement of Act 852 since October last year has shown encouraging results, with a decline in the number of students involved in vaping-related offences in the state. Citing records from the Penang Education Department, he said that revealed that while 981 students were recorded for vape-related misdemeanours in 2024, the number dropped to 12 students between January and February this year.
