Land reclamation will increase the size of Penang Island by 10%
Land reclamation is big business in Malaysia. Money is made from selling plots of newly created land from the sea to developers.
Several states in the peninsula have introduced large-scale reclamation initiatives, many strategically placed in prime locations.
The latest large-scale project is in Penang that will see the reclamation of three man-made islands on the southern part of the island, measuring about 4,500 acres.
The project is part of the ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), where the state plans to auction the reclaimed land to fund the master plan.
“The state has very little land as a whole in Seberang Perai and the value of the land on the mainland is lower (20%-40%) compared with island land,” it says.
The reclamation work is expected to cost about RM4bil, while the whole PTMP project, which includes rail systems and highways, will cost RM27bil.
Other reclamation activities that have taken place on Penang island were undertaken by the private sector, by Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O). The project is known as Seri Tanjung Pinang (STP), spanning over 1,000 acres of reclamation land.
The project first started in 2006 and is now in the second phase of its reclamation work.
According to a 2017 research report entitled “Land reclamation and artificial islands: Walking the tightrope between development and conservation” by Su Yin Chee from Universiti Sains Malaysia, the area of reclaimed land in Penang island would be about 7,981 acres in the coming years.
“Reclaimed land is expected to dramatically increase between 2017 and 2030 with the construction of five new artificial islands on the north-east and south coasts,” the report says.
That would increase the size of Penang Island by 10%. In comparison, a lot of land in Singapore, about 25%, is from reclamation efforts from the past, including the prime Marina Bay area.
Another state that is also embarking on big-scale reclamation work is Johor. However, unlike Penang, the reclamation and land ownership belongs to the private sector.
One of the most notable projects is Forest City spanning over 3,942 acres on reclaimed land in the Straits of Johor.
It has been reported that Melaka is embarking on mega-reclamation work, which is part of its ambitious RM43bil Melaka Gateway project.
The project comprises three reclaimed and one natural island totalling 1,366 acres, set in a strategic and idyllic area of the Straits of Malacca, according to the Melaka Gateway website.
It is worth noting that land reclamation is nothing new in Asia. Countries such as Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore have been doing it for decades.
Other countries in Asia are also embarking on mega-reclamation works. The Philippines is reclaiming 1,010 acres from the sea for its New Manila Bay and Sri Lanka is building a new financial district called Colombo International Financial City on reclaimed land.
Source: TheStar.com.my
Stop it ! Ugly works producing pollutions !
@Samasama
no, you can’t stop it, but you can stop living in Penang. My recommendation are Perlis and Kedah,kelantan and terengganu ,super green, environmentally and spiritually..
As it is, there has been pollution all along whether there is a land reclamation or not. Land recalmation could provide chance to clean up once and for all.
Welcomes green penangnites…land reclamation still continues
Land reclamation started even our grandparents were born in Penang.
The first reclamation was before 1900. That location is called Weld Quay. The will not be Port Swettenham, Jetty, Bus terminal, Customs Clock Tower, HSBC bank, India House and many more buildings if it was not for reclamation.
Move forward from the North East (Georgetown), East (Karpal Singh Drive & The Light), South West (Queensbay) it was all reclaimed in the 80’s. These areas now house more than 100,000 Penangites.
So who is staying around Karpal Singh Drive? Anyone staying at the Spring or Summer Place, Maritime, Ocean View or even the LMC around the area? Or who is currently enjoying McDonalds set meal or a cup of Starbucks coffee around this area?
Moving to the East, who is currently staying at The Light City? The Light Linear, The Light Point or The Light collection.
Moving South East, who is staying at Putra Place, Tropicana Bay Residence, Gold Coast. Or anyone is currently enjoying breakfast a Kapitan or even Coffee Bean at Summerton.
All these locations are on reclaimed land, without it. We will not have what it is today.
Also with it came Dr Lim Chong Ewe highway was open to ease the traffic of Penang while giving us the connectivity from the Northern to Southern of Penang
At the same time, many businesses flourish along the Easy coast of Penang which provides jobs and even future job opportunities to the locals.
The population of Penang had also risen to 10,000 by 1792. Try type in google now to see what is the population of Penang. It is 1,767,000 and it is growing.
Imagine if without reclamation or clearing of land to house all of us. Where will we be staying now? all cramp in Georgetown?
Don’t be silly, Dr.M already said won’t allow China to buy our Malaysian properties then who else will buy these reclaimed lands ? Still call in the Arabian brothers ? Penang is still day-dreaming ?
Penang, the preferred destination, that’s what they want, investors on islands
@Samasama
Look at STP1, so much value created
@Vince
Thank you for the enlightening post.
Good news for those who are looking to buy properties as more land is available, price will come down. YES!!
More lands are needed in Penang Island. More revenues are needed to move Penang forward. Nostalgia only belong to yesteryears yesterdays people and standstill with time and evolution which is a inavoidable。无论多食古不化的东西也要成为过去！
Meanwhile Baystar condominium flipper still living in fantasyland when try to dump their units up to 2.2M.