Penang has been left far behind in terms of attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs) to record only RM240 million for the first three months of this year.

Penang Federal Development Council chairperson Zainal Abidin Osman said Penang's FDIs were far behind Kedah's, which attracted RM3.93 billion and Sarawak, RM7.07 billion.

"We have expressed our concern as investors now do not view Penang as an attractive place to invest as before," he told reporters after the council's meeting yesterday.

Zainal Abidin the FDI inflow to Penang fell from RM7.1 billion in 2011 to RM1.1 billion in 2012 and RM1.79 billion in 2013.

Meanwhile, Zainal Abidin said allegations by certain quarters that Penang has been neglected in terms of development was not true as the federal government was committed to build projects for the people.

"As an example, a RM22 million hospital project in Seberang Jaya has started and tender for extension to the project worth RM400 million has been called.

- Bernama