Penang executive councillor on local government Chow Kon Yeow has described as discriminatory, the move to scrap local council projects in non-BN constituencies.

However, Chow said the move by the Local Government and Urban Well-being Ministry does not affect Penang.

"Penang is not affected, but it is discriminatory.

“The voters will be the judge of such discriminatory politics," Chow, who is also state DAP chairperson, told Malaysiakini. 

He was responding to the latest move by Noh Omar’s ministry to scrap local council projects in non-BN constituencies.

It was revealed in a letter issued by local government department director-general Abu Bakar Johar, dated March 7.

All BP 1 projects, or small scale infrastructure projects at the local council level, will be cancelled, said the letter.

Letter received via WhatsApp

Chow said on April 5, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) received through WhatsApp, a letter dated March 17 from the ministry’s local government department, informing the state about the matter.

Upon checks, the council found that six projects for street lights installation, amounting to RM136,000, had been approved. 

"Two are in BN Parliament seats, four in non-BN seats," he noted.

Similar checks later the same day and the following day revealed the same, with a ministry officer saying the instruction to stop projects does not apply to those already approved in the state. 

According to Chow, who is also Padang Kota assemblyperson, the officer said that there will be an official letter issued on the matter. 

Chow also pointed out that 15 projects under the Penang Island City Council, worth over RM314,000, are still ongoing and yet to face the axe.