German life science company Eppendorf SE has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing facility at Bandar Cassia Technology Park in Penang, marking the start of construction on its first production site in Southeast Asia. The project involves an investment of EUR40 million (approximately RM190 million) and follows the signing of a lease agreement with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) in July 2026.

The facility will occupy an approximately 48,500 sq m site, with a planned built-up area of around 16,000 sq m. It will house production, warehousing, offices, quality-related functions, shipping and logistics operations, as well as employee facilities. The plant will manufacture selected products from Eppendorf’s Centrifuges & Instruments portfolio for laboratories and scientific workplaces worldwide, adding advanced manufacturing capabilities to the company’s existing operations in Malaysia.

Construction is targeted for completion by the end of 2027, followed by the installation of production equipment. Manufacturing is expected to begin gradually in 2028, with operations ramping up through 2030. The company anticipates employing approximately 130 people by the end of 2029. The facility is also designed with sustainability features, including energy-efficient building systems, solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and water-retention systems, with Eppendorf aiming for LEED Gold certification.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Eppendorf Supervisory Board Chairman Philipp von Loeper, Eppendorf CEO Dr Christine Munz, and representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), InvestPenang and PDC.

Eppendorf has maintained a presence in Malaysia for more than three decades, beginning with the establishment of its Kuala Lumpur office in 1995. The Penang investment marks an expansion of its Malaysian operations into manufacturing and will serve as an additional production base within its global network, which has historically been centred in Europe and the United States.

The investment is expected to strengthen Penang’s position in high-value manufacturing, particularly in the life sciences and scientific equipment sectors, while creating skilled employment opportunities and supporting the development of local suppliers.

Motorists travelling along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah towards Sungai Tiram will no longer be allowed to turn right into Jalan Sungai Tiram 1 from November 14, 2026, as part of a proposed traffic flow improvement by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

The new traffic arrangement will take effect at 6.00am on Saturday, November 14, and will be implemented on a trial basis for at least three months to assess its effectiveness.

According to MBPP, the restriction is intended to eliminate one traffic signal phase at the junction, allowing a longer green-light duration for vehicles travelling along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. This is expected to reduce the overall traffic signal cycle time and improve traffic flow along the main road.

Motorists heading towards Jalan Sungai Tiram 1 will have three alternative routes. They can make a U-turn at the Penang International Airport roundabout before heading back towards Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and turning into Jalan Sungai Tiram 1.

Alternatively, motorists can make a U-turn at the airport roundabout towards Jalan Tun Dr Awang, followed by another U-turn near Kondominium Tree Sparina before turning left into Jalan Sungai Tiram 9 to access the Sungai Tiram neighbourhood.

The third option is to continue towards the overhead bridge and make a U-turn in front of the Bayan Lepas Police Station before proceeding back towards Sungai Tiram.

Motorists are advised to take note of the new arrangement and plan their journeys accordingly, particularly during the initial implementation period.

Penang has launched its Smart City Blueprint 2040, setting out a long-term framework to coordinate smart city initiatives and strengthen the integration of data and technology across the state.

The blueprint includes plans for the Penang Urban Intelligence Observatory (PUIO), Smart Data Exchange Platform (SDX) and Smart Penang Dashboard to improve data sharing and support more informed government decision-making. The MBPP 2030 Smart City Action Plan was also launched to translate the state’s smart city vision into practical initiatives that address the needs of the community.

Speaking at the 2026 Penang World Town Planning Day celebration, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said smart city development should go beyond technology adoption, with challenges such as flooding, traffic congestion, solid waste management and rising urban temperatures requiring coordinated solutions through proper planning and infrastructure.

He highlighted several digital initiatives by local authorities, including MBPP’s PEARL – One Touch Penang application, which recorded more than 75,000 downloads and RM25.1 million in payment transactions during the PEARL Bayar & Menang 2.0 campaign between June 2025 and May 2026.

Meanwhile, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) retained its five-star rating under the 2026 Local Government Star Rating System and received the 2025 Sustainable City recognition through MURNInets. The establishment of the Seberang Perai ASPIRE Centre (SPACE) has also strengthened data integration, monitoring and coordination of urban operations.

Chow added that eight of the 10 main goals under the Penang2030 vision had either been achieved or were progressing according to plan, eight years after its introduction.

Penang’s exports reached RM113.2 billion as of September 2026, accounting for approximately 52.6% of Malaysia’s total exports. A total of 177 manufacturing investment projects worth RM17.32 billion were also approved between January and June 2026, with an estimated 19,337 job opportunities expected to be created.

The state government is expected to continue working with local councils, government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions and the community to ensure that smart city initiatives contribute to more efficient public services and a safer, more comfortable and sustainable urban environment.

A proposed condominium development on a 6.2-acre site off Jalan Lebuh Relau in Relau, adjacent to Setia Sky Vista and Setia Vista, both developed by S P Setia. The site was originally earmarked for blocks C and D of Setia Sky Vista more that a decade ago. It is approximately a 10-minute drive from SPICE Arena and five minutes from the Bukit Kukus Paired Road.

The proposed development will comprise a 36-storey condominium block with 417 residential units, including 408 units across the main residential floors and nine additional units on Level 34. A six-storey podium will accommodate parking facilities and 32 shop units located on Levels 1 and 3. Recreational facilities are planned on Levels 7 and 34, while the ground floor will also include community facilities and a guardhouse.

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

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Relau
Property Type : Condominium
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: 6.23 acres
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 417 (residential)
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.

Strata management body have the authority to regulate pet ownership in strata properties, but they cannot arbitrarily impose a blanket ban on residents keeping animals in their private units, according to legal experts.

Lawyer Muhammad Akram Abdul Aziz said the powers of JMBs under the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757) are subject to existing laws and statutory by-laws. While management bodies can introduce rules to maintain order and harmony, these rules must not contradict legal provisions.

Lawyer Ivan Ong Hong Bing shared a similar view, explaining that enforcement action should only be taken when there is clear evidence that an animal causes a nuisance, threatens safety or affects the health of other residents. General complaints or assumptions alone are insufficient, and each case should be assessed based on supporting evidence.

Muhammad Akram added that management bodies should investigate complaints and allow pet owners to provide an explanation before taking action. Under Paragraph 14(2) of the Third Schedule of the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015, owners who breach the relevant rules must be given three days to remove the animal after receiving written notice.

The issue follows an October 30 ruling by the Shah Alam High Court, which found that JMBs could not impose an outright ban on pets in private residential units through internal rules. The decision arose from a case involving former national hurdler Noraseela Mohd Khalid and the Shang Villa Condominium JMB.

However, Ivan clarified that the ruling does not automatically invalidate pet restrictions at all strata properties. Its application to other developments would depend on the circumstances of each case, including the validity of existing by-laws and local authority regulations.

Legal experts also reminded pet owners that they remain responsible for controlling their animals and preventing disturbances or harm to others. Negligent owners may face legal consequences if their pets cause injuries or property damage.

Residents interviewed also highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership, including maintaining cleanliness, using leashes in common areas and respecting neighbours to minimise disputes within shared residential communities.