Farid Maulud, a Penang DAP Youth committee member, said many of Penang’s transport and infrastructure projects had been delayed during PN’s time in power.

In a statement, he referred to the Mutiara LRT line project which he said was approved only in March 2024 by the unity government.

“What failed (to be implemented) was the Penang South Reclamation project under PN’s rule,” he said, referring to the project intended to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

His comments followed the resolution passed by Penang Gerakan last weekend, blaming the state’s traffic-related problems on a weak rollout of the PTMP.

Gerakan had also called for an expert review of the plan.

In his statement, Farid also pushed back at Gerakan’s claim of weak state finances.

He said reserves fell during the Covid-19 pandemic when funds were used to help the people, but began to recover in 2025.

“In the first quarter of this year, the state posted a surplus of RM65.3 million. By May, the balance rose to RM235.6 million. The aim is to rebuild RM1 billion by 2028.”

Farid also said Gerakan should not forget its own history in Penang.

He said the party had run the state for almost 40 years, from 1969 to 2008, but failed to deliver major projects like the LRT which it had promised since the 1990s.

Farid said voters became tired of lopsided growth and rejected Gerakan in 2008.

He added that water and tax policies now came with rebates and that state accounts were on the mend.

“The attacks by Gerakan and PN are selective and rhetorical. Penang needs partners in progress, not parties that block when in power and slander when out of it.”