The Penang State Government has invited local residents and stakeholders to share their views and feedback to ensure that the Penang State Structure Plan 2040 (RSN2040) is formulated in a comprehensive, balanced and people-centric manner.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said active community participation is crucial, as RSN2040 is not merely a technical planning document but a shared roadmap that will shape how Penangites live, work, travel and develop over the next 15 years.

He noted that Bukit Tambun has been identified as one of the state’s Tier 3 Growth Centres (Town) under the proposed Penang Urban Hierarchy to 2040, in addition to being located within the rapidly expanding Batu Kawan industrial growth corridor.

Under Planning Focus 3: Dynamic Infrastructure and Inclusive Utility Services, the Bukit Tambun–Batu Kawan road has been recognised as one of Penang’s major congestion hotspots. As such, Chow stressed that rapid development must be supported by an efficient, integrated and worker-friendly public transport system, particularly for the industrial workforce.

He said this when delivering a briefing on the RSN2040 Review Study for the Bukit Tambun State Constituency on Dec 20, 2025.

Also present were Local Government, Town and Country Planning Exco H’ng Mooi Lye; Bukit Tambun assemblyman TPr. Goh Choon Aik; and Director of PLANMalaysia Pulau Pinang, Dato’ TPr. Gs. Rozita Hamit, along with senior officials, consultants and representatives from relevant agencies.

Elaborating further, Chow—who also oversees Finance, Economic Development, Land and Communications—highlighted the need for traffic system management, travel demand management, smart traffic systems and more efficient public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

He also emphasised the importance of protecting livestock and aquaculture areas, including fish and shrimp farming, which contribute to the local economy and the state’s food security chain. As housing developments encroach closer to farming areas, more balanced land-use planning is required, including buffer zones to safeguard local livelihoods.

Chow concluded that the success of RSN2040 depends on active public involvement, urging residents, industrial workers, businesses, civil society groups and youth to participate, stressing that Penang’s future must be shaped collectively to ensure high-quality, sustainable and inclusive development.

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