MCA National Youth deputy chairman Mike Chong Yew Chuan has called on Transport Minister Anthony Loke to disclose a state-by-state breakdown of federal transport allocations from 2022 to 2026, following claims that transport projects linked to Penang exceed RM21 bil.
The call comes after DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng thanked Loke in a Facebook post for his contributions to Penang’s transport development, listing projects with a combined value of more than RM21 bil.
The projects cited include the RM16.8 bil Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, the RM1.55 bil expansion of Penang International Airport, RM2.2 bil for Penang Port, RM500 mil for Swettenham Pier and RM30 mil for KTM stations.
Chong said MCA Youth did not dispute the need for transport and infrastructure development in Penang but questioned how the figures should be interpreted.
“The figure of more than RM21 bil appears to portray these projects primarily as the achievements of a Minister, when these are projects funded through national resources,” he stated.
He urged Loke to publish the total value of federal transport allocations and approved projects for all states during his tenure, together with the implementation status of major projects and the criteria used to determine funding priorities.
“If Penang has indeed received transport projects valued at more than RM21 bil during Loke’s tenure, the rakyat also have the right to know how much the other 13 states have received, what projects were approved and what basis was used to determine these priorities,” he continued.
Chong also questioned whether the RM21 bil figure referred to actual expenditure, approved project cost ceilings or projects that had received policy approval but had yet to be fully implemented.
He said infrastructure funded through federal resources should be assessed based on the needs and interests of all Malaysians rather than being presented primarily as a measure of an individual minister’s achievements or an advantage for a state governed by a particular political party.
“Greater transparency would allow Malaysians to better understand how transport investments are distributed across the country and how these priorities are determined,” he stressed. ‒ Sept 24, 2026
Main image: The Star
