Penang Misses RM1 Billion Investment Due To Lack Of Gas Supply - Bernama

PENANG, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government claimed today that it had missed a new investment worth RM1 billion in the high-technology industry as the gas pipe built across the Seberang Perai district was not functioning.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said although the gas pipe erected by Petronas from Kuala Lumpur across Seberang Perai Selatan, Tengah and Utara had been completed, no gas was supplied.

He said this had affected the state government's efforts in wooing investment from a German company in the use of solar technology to generate power.

About two weeks ago, the company had expressed interest to invest in the state if there was adequate gas supply, he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony for the State Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker and 40 State Assemblymen, here.

"I don't understand why the gas pipe which had been erected could not supply the gas until now whereas Malaysia is one of the gas exporting countries. This is something that we can't accept.

"This hinders our efforts to attract investment in the high-tech industry and as such, we lost a potential investment of almost RM1 billion," Lim said.

As it was a federal project, he wanted clarification to be given on the matter, especially by Petronas itself.

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