Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has lamented that not only has the state been left out of the national budget but several federal projects promised to the state have also been cancelled.

"Not only has Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak reneged on his promises, made thrice, to build an LRT system to reduce traffic congestion, even the state government's request for an RM805 million flood barrier project was rejected," Lim said in a statement today.

He said the Penang government had made the request for the new flood barrier project only because Najib had promised to resolve the flash flood problems in the state.

"Worst, there is a high likelihood that the Sungai Pinang flood barrier project, worth RM150 million, may also be cancelled even though it was approved in the Ninth Malaysia Plan," he said.

Lim said the discrimination against Pakatan Harapan-ruled Penang by the BN federal government was deeply unfair.

Penangites pay RM6 billion in taxes

"It is very unfair as (Penangites) pay RM6.3 billion in taxes and Customs duties very year but (the state) is only getting a return of two percent.

"It must be emphasised that Penang is still part of Malaysia and should not be made a stepchild and neglected as such," he said.

Furthermore, Lim said, the critical situation at the crowded Penang International Airport was also not being taken seriously by Putrajaya.

He pointed out that initial plans for a four-star hotel at the airport have also been cancelled and the only project the airport will get is additional parking lots.

"It is hoped that the promise to build a multi-storey parking space with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles, particularly for the airport users, will not become an empty promise, as has been with previous sweet promises," Lim added.