GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today said his government plans to emulate New Zealand’s move to build only projects which score well on the “welfare test”, as part of his larger Penang 2030 state development blueprint.
He said while environmental and social impact studies into a project were important, due consideration must be given to the people’s welfare.
“Some of us might have seen the video of the New Zealand prime minister recently, where she said all projects would have to pass ‘the welfare of the people test’.
“If the project does not improve the welfare of the people, don’t implement it. At the state executive council, we are moving towards that direction. If it does not pass the test, then maybe we will have to rethink it,” he said in his keynote address at a seminar of national and private town planners in Bayan Lepas today.
Chow gave the example of Kedah’s international airport plan in Kulim, which he said would “bring impact” on Penang.
He urged the federal government to ensure that all high-impact projects in the country be put through intense scrutiny, similar to how Penang was put under a microscope for its land reclamation and road projects.
Chow said Penang did not mind being under the microscope and was willing to comply with requirements set by federal regulatory bodies.
He also said while the federal government is now under “one family” with Penang, the state does not expect to get favours in approving projects.
Chow added that Penang’s efforts over the past two years to reclaim three islands to finance its transport master plan had been futile. The “struggle” to get things approved was real, he said.
Last year, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacintha Ardern set goals in overhauling the country’s welfare system, a move welcomed by the rest of the world.