Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah near here will undergo traffic diversion from Sept 12, 2026 to July 31, 2027, to make way for the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, involving piling and permanent structural works in the road median.

Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn (MRT Corp) said the 322-day traffic diversion would involve routes along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, near the Acre Work construction area, until the junction to the Penang Airport Taxi Limousine Service heading towards Teluk Kumbar.

“… Road users are advised to exercise caution when passing through the areas,” it said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 10).

Meanwhile, MRT Corp said it would also implement a short-term road closure along Jalan Magazine here from 10pm on Sept 14 until 5am on Oct 5 for the Mutiara Line LRT project, involving road widening and utility relocation works.

The closure would involve the leftmost lane on Jalan Magazine, in front of the St Giles Wembley Hotel, heading towards Komtar, but other lanes would remain open.

“Road signs and traffic cones will be placed, while flagmen will be deployed to help manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of road users at the affected routes,” it added.

The Penang state government has secured 1,133 new residential units under the Rent-to-Own (RTO) scheme, as part of efforts to expand homeownership opportunities for Penang residents.

Penang Housing and Environment Committee chairman Dato’ Seri Sundarajoo said the state government, through the Penang Housing Board (LPNPP), invested a total of RM49.26 million in 2026 to acquire the new RTO units.

Under the scheme, eligible applicants can rent the homes first before having the opportunity to own them, with monthly payments starting from as low as RM250 over a 15-year period, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

The 1,133 new RTO units are spread across five housing projects:

• Mak Mandin Indah – 187 units
• Pekatra Indah – 107 units
• Pinang Setia – 640 units
• Harmoni Vista – 55 units
• Vista Perdana – 144 units

Sundarajoo said the RTO programme is particularly aimed at households that are capable of making monthly housing payments but face difficulties securing financing from financial institutions.

“For me, providing housing is not merely about how many homes we build. More importantly, it is about how many people ultimately get the opportunity to own a home they can call their own,” he said in a Facebook post.

With the latest addition, Penang has achieved 13,277 RTO units to date, against the state’s target of 22,000 units by 2030.

Meanwhile, the state’s Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) programme has reached 176,457 units, representing more than 80% of its target of 220,000 units by 2030.

Sundarajoo said the state government would continue to expand more flexible and inclusive housing approaches that take into account the financial capabilities of Penang residents.

He added that the state remained committed to broadening access to housing and creating more opportunities for residents to eventually own their homes.

Residents affected by eviction notices at PPR Taman Manggis have been given sufficient time to secure alternative accommodation after being found to no longer meet the eligibility requirements for public housing.

Penang Housing and Environment Committee chairman Dato’ Seri S. Sundarajoo said eviction notices were initially issued in March, giving affected residents three months to vacate their units. Extensions were subsequently considered for those who requested additional time due to difficulties in finding new homes.

He said the state government had also offered two affected residents alternative units under the Rent-to-Own (RTO) scheme, which they had accepted.

“We have given them time, but the additional period cannot continue for another three or 30 years,” he said at a press conference in Komtar.

Sundarajoo said the Penang Housing Board (LPNPP) had taken a considerate approach by offering suitable RTO units based on family size, including one-, two- and three-bedroom homes.

Under the scheme, residents would have the opportunity to purchase their homes after renting them for two to three years.

He stressed that public housing units provided by the state government must be allocated to those who genuinely qualify and need them, particularly as many families are still without permanent accommodation.

According to Sundarajoo, some families have even had to rely on temporary transit centres while waiting for more suitable housing.

He also rejected claims that the state government was being harsh or insensitive towards residents ordered to vacate their units, saying the action followed eligibility checks and was necessary to ensure public housing remained available to the intended target group.

Meanwhile, Sundarajoo said some units at Taman Manggis had undergone extensive renovations, with certain homes fitted with air-conditioning, ceilings and other improvements that made them resemble condominium units.

He said such cases could indicate that some residents were taking advantage of housing intended for lower-income households.

LPNPP is currently conducting a screening and verification exercise involving residents suspected of no longer meeting the eligibility criteria. Of the cases being reviewed, 19 cases have been acted upon in the initial phase, while about 103 others remain under review.

Several PPR Taman Manggis units were sealed in early September following the identification of occupants who were believed to no longer qualify to live in the public housing units.

A proposed affordable housing development located off Tingkat Betek 6 in Bukit Mertajam, between Woodsland Park and Residensi Rambai Indah. The site is situated within an established township and is in the vicinity of SJKC Keow Kuang. It also has convenient access to surrounding amenities and neighbouring townships via Jalan Song Ban Kheng.

The proposed development comprises a 23-storey residential block with 188 affordable housing units, each measuring approximately 950 sq ft. The project also includes a seven-storey car park podium, while community facilities are planned at the ground floor, Levels 7 and 8, and the rooftop.

The project is still in its planning stage and more details will be available upon official launch.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing
• Full list of affordable housing in Penang

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Bukit Mertajam
Property Type : Affordable housing
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Size: 950 sq.ft.
Total Units : 188
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

The Waterfront Shoppes (TWS), the retail component of the 4.1 million sq ft integrated seafront development The Light City in Penang, is scheduled to soft-open on Oct 29, 2026. The Light City is a joint venture development between IJM Corporation Berhad and Singapore-based Perennial Holdings Private Limited.

Spanning approximately 1.6 million sq ft across four levels, TWS will comprise around 300 retail spaces. Upon opening, it is expected to be the largest shopping mall in Penang by floor area, adding a major retail component to the city’s waterfront landscape.

TWS is integrated with the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), the state’s largest convention venue with a capacity of more than 10,000 guests. According to Perennial, the waterfront destination will bring together elements of Penang’s food, culture, heritage and community within a contemporary setting.