Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project concessionaire was facing financial issues but they have been given an extension until next year to complete the project. — Picture via Facebook/ChowKonYeow (New users only) It's tax relief season! Get up to RM300 when you save with Versa! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. By Opalyn Mok Monday, 25 May 2026 5:06 PM MYT GEORGE TOWN, May 25 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has admitted that the delay in the completion of the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway was due to financial issues.He said the project concessionaire was facing financial issues but they have been given an extension until next year to complete the project.“There are delays but works are still in progress, the final deadline is April next year,” he said when asked to comment on the delay in the project which physically started in 2021.The RM851 million Package Two highway stretches about 6km.The project started in February 2021 and was initially expected to be completed in 2025.The project is being undertaken by Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) under Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC).When asked about criticisms that the project had dragged for 14 years, Chow said the contract was only awarded in 2020 before physical works started in 2021.When asked if the concessionaire had run into financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said that pandemic was long over.“Covid has already passed. We cannot continue using the same excuse,” he said.Back in November last year, PIC said the project was given an extension of time (EOT) in 2023 for the completion date of October 31, 2026.A second EOT was approved in mid last year for the completion date set on April 12, 2027.