1.9-acre Sungai Dua site in Penang Island proposed for 419 affordable homes
The Penang state government has been urged to expedite the development of 419 affordable housing units on a long-vacant parcel of land in Sungai Dua, Northeast District, which has remained undeveloped for about 35 years.
Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan said the approximately 1.9-acre site comprising Lots 9117 and 20113, located next to Vanda Business Park Sungai Dua, has been earmarked for development since 1991.
He said the original proposal included not only affordable housing, but also commercial components, public facilities, a dry market, a modern public market and parking facilities.
“As the area’s assemblyman, my position is clear, the affordable housing component and these facilities must be retained. I do not want a high-end project that is ultimately unaffordable to the people,” he said during a recent visit to the site with members of the media.
Kumaresan said the status of the project has been raised repeatedly in the Penang State Legislative Assembly since 2019, including requests for updates on its implementation.
He said the state government had previously indicated in November 2022 that the project was expected to begin in 2023. However, no progress has been made.
In 2025, the state government reportedly said the landowner, Hamna Sdn Bhd, had partnered with another developer to undertake the project, but the collaboration was subsequently terminated.
The latest update on May 8, 2026 stated that discussions on a joint venture to develop the RMM project were still ongoing, with the appointment of a developer yet to be finalised.
Kumaresan had previously proposed that the state government open a Request for Proposal (RFP) to allow interested private developers to submit proposals for the project.
He said several private parties had expressed interest, although any development would have to take into account existing agreements and court decisions requiring consent from the relevant parties.
“If Hamna is unable to develop the land, the state government has other options, including opening an RFP or considering development through the Penang Development Corporation (PDC),” he said.
“We have already waited 35 years. This project should not be delayed any further.”
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