Penang tables RM1.07b Budget 2027 with record-low RM5.62m deficit

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 30 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today tabled a RM1.074 billion budget for 2027, with a projected deficit of RM5.62 million.

He said the estimated deficit was the lowest in the state’s budget history, compared to the projected deficit of RM19.92 million for 2026.

The state’s estimated revenue for 2027 is RM1.069 billion, an increase of RM800,000 or 0.07 per cent compared to 2026.

The size of the 2027 operating budget is RM13.49 million, or 1.24 per cent, lower than the 2026 budget of RM1.088 billion.

“Taking into account the estimated state revenue of RM1.069 billion compared to the estimated expenditure of RM1.074 billion, Budget 2027 records the lowest estimated deficit in Penang’s budget history, at RM5.62 million,” Chow said when tabling the Supply Bill at the state legislative assembly today.

He said the budget included a contribution of RM240 million to the state development fund, compared to RM265 million in 2026.

The state has approved RM280.17 million for development expenditure in 2027, a reduction of RM38.4 million or 12.1 per cent from the previous year.

Chow said 514 development projects had been listed for implementation next year, covering public infrastructure, community facilities, sports development and strategic economic projects.

“Among the main priorities are projects to strengthen the state’s transport network and connectivity, including land acquisition for the light rail transit project, the Airport Link Road and the route to Silicon Island, as well as Phase Two of Gurney Bay and projects related to the Penang Transport Master Plan,” he said.

The chief minister said the state would continue its i-Sejahtera programme with an allocation of RM58 million for 2027.

He also announced a new Mempelai Emas programme under i-Sejahtera, offering a one-off contribution of RM500 to eligible newly married couples in Penang.

As at September 30 this year, the state had disbursed RM57.8 million through the first two phases of i-Sejahtera, benefiting 299,504 recipients, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, single mothers and housewives.

Chow also announced that the state would maintain its 50 per cent quit rent rebate in 2027, subject to the relevant conditions.

He said quit rent collection reached RM167.59 million as at October 29, compared to RM116.05 million in 2025, an increase of RM51.54 million or 44.41 per cent.

The increase came despite the 50 per cent rebate and reductions approved through landowners’ appeals, which involved a decrease in revenue of almost RM35.7 million, he said.

On the state’s finances, Chow said revenue collection for 2025 rose to RM1.26 billion from RM810.46 million in 2024, while the state recorded a surplus of RM366.93 million compared to a deficit of RM174.09 million in 2024.

He said the balance in the consolidated revenue account rose from RM155.94 million at the end of 2024 to RM522.87 million at the end of 2025, and stood at RM651.28 million as at today.

For the period from January to October 30 this year, the state collected RM847.53 million in revenue, equivalent to 79.35 per cent of its annual estimate.

“The state government will continue to monitor revenue collection and step up follow-up action with collecting departments to ensure the 2026 revenue target of RM1.068 billion can be achieved,” he said.

Chow also announced special financial aid equivalent to one month’s salary for state civil servants.

He said a one-off payment of RM300 each would also be given to eligible religious teachers and staff, as well as teachers and staff of private Chinese schools in Penang.

The special financial aid and one-off payments, totalling RM16.207 million, will benefit 7,292 recipients and will be paid in December 2026.

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乔治市，10月30日讯——槟城首席部长曹观友今日提交了一份2027年预算案，总额为10.74亿令吉，预计赤字为562万令吉。

他表示，预计的赤字是该州预算史上最低的，而2026年的预计赤字为1992万令吉。

该州 2027 年的预计收入为 10.69 亿令吉，比 2026 年增加 80 万令吉，增幅为 0.07%。

2027 年运营预算规模为 1349 万令吉，比 2026 年的 10.88 亿令吉预算减少了 1.24%。

周先生今天在州立法议会提交拨款法案时表示：“考虑到州财政收入预计为10.69亿令吉，而支出预计为10.74亿令吉，2027年财政预算案的赤字预计为562万令吉，是槟城财政史上最低的赤字。”

他表示，预算案包括向州发展基金拨款2.4亿令吉，而2026年该基金的拨款额将达到2.65亿令吉。

州政府已批准 2027 年发展支出 2.8017 亿令吉，比上一年减少 3840 万令吉，降幅达 12.1%。

周先生表示，明年将实施514个发展项目，涵盖公共基础设施、社区设施、体育发展和战略经济项目。

他说：“主要优先事项包括加强槟城州交通网络和连通性的项目，包括为轻轨交通项目、机场连接路和通往硅岛的路线征地，以及葛尼湾二期工程和与槟城交通总体规划相关的项目。”

首席部长表示，该州将继续推行 i-Sejahtera 计划，并于 2027 年拨款 5800 万令吉。

他还宣布了一项新的“黄金计划”（Mempelai Emas），隶属于“i-Sejahtera”计划，向槟城符合条件的新婚夫妇提供一次性 500 令吉的资助。

截至今年9月30日，该州已通过i-Sejahtera计划的前两个阶段发放了5780万令吉，惠及299504名受益人，其中包括老年人、残疾人、单身母亲和家庭主妇。

周先生还宣布，在符合相关条件的情况下，州政府将在2027年维持50%的地租回扣政策。

他表示，截至 10 月 29 日，地租征收额达到 1.6759 亿令吉，而 2025 年预计为 1.1605 亿令吉，将增加 5154 万令吉，增幅达 44.41%。

他说，尽管土地所有者上诉批准了 50% 的折扣和减免，导致收入减少了近 3570 万令吉，但税率仍然上涨。

关于州财政状况，周先生表示，2025 年的税收收入将从 2024 年的 8.1046 亿令吉增至 12.6 亿令吉，而州财政盈余为 3.6693 亿令吉，相比之下，2024 年则出现 1.7409 亿令吉的赤字。

他表示，综合收入账户余额从 2024 年底的 1.5594 亿令吉增至 2025 年底的 5.2287 亿令吉，截至今日已达 6.5128 亿令吉。

今年1月至10月30日期间，该州征收了8.4753亿令吉的税收，相当于其年度预算的79.35%。

他说：“州政府将继续监测税收情况，并加强与征税部门的后续行动，以确保实现2026年10.68亿令吉的税收目标。”

周永宏还宣布向州公务员提供相当于一个月工资的特别财政援助。

他还表示，符合条件的宗教教师和工作人员，以及槟城私立华文学校的教师和工作人员，每人还将获得一次性 300 令吉的补贴。

总额达 1620.7 万令吉的特别财政援助和一次性付款将惠及 7292 名受益人，并将于 2026 年 12 月支付。

法赫米表示，政府将根据《官方保密法》开始解密历史文件。

据Ewon称，价值1.73亿令吉的Penampang两条道路升级工程提前完工。

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