Source: Buletin Mutiara

Setia Fontaines Heritage Park, a new 100-acre recreational and tourism attraction in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), was officially opened today by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.

Developed by SP Setia Berhad, the modern recreational park is positioned as a new family-oriented destination in Kepala Batas, featuring a 62-acre man-made lake, extensive green landscaping and a synchronised musical fountain.

Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Wong Hon Wai said the new park would provide more recreational opportunities for families and the local community while creating another attraction for visitors to Kepala Batas and Seberang Perai Utara.

He said the development was also aligned with the Penang2030 vision of improving liveability and quality of life while expanding the spillover benefits of tourism across the state.

“The park is not merely a space for recreation, but a destination that can be enjoyed by families and the community,” Wong said.

He added that the attraction could help generate local economic activity and provide longer-term benefits to surrounding communities through closer cooperation between the state government, local authorities, private sector and residents.

The opening ceremony was attended by Penang State Secretary Dato’ Dr. Jafri Abdul Jalil, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) Mayor Dato’ Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid, as well as SP Setia President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zaini Yusoff and Chief Operating Officer Datuk Yuslina Mohd Yunus.

The opening of Setia Fontaines Heritage Park adds another major recreational component to the Kepala Batas development landscape, further strengthening the area’s positioning as a growing urban centre in Seberang Perai Utara.

With its sizeable lake, landscaped open spaces and tourism-oriented facilities, the park is also expected to become an important lifestyle amenity for residents in the surrounding Setia Fontaines township and neighbouring areas.

About The Cube

The Cube is an affordable housing development by Morning Dew Development Sdn. Bhd. located along Lorong Perak in Jelutong, Penang. Situated on approximately 2 acres of freehold land, the development comprises a 38-storey residential tower with 349 units, ranging from 850 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft. The project also includes a 10-level multi-storey car park podium and retail and commercial lots on levels 1 to 5.

Find out more about The Cube

PTT Synergy Group Bhd is acquiring a 3.925-hectare parcel of freehold land in Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang, for RM62.53 million.

The industrial construction and automated logistics company said its wholly owned subsidiary, PTT Logistics Hub 3 Sdn Bhd, has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Lee Mooi Khean for the acquisition of the land.

The property is located at Lot 1597, Mukim 12, in the district of Seberang Perai Selatan.

According to PTT Synergy, the land will initially be held as an investment property, with potential for future development in line with the group’s business expansion plans.

The company said the acquisition is intended to strengthen its asset base while providing additional land for future development and operational requirements.

The site could support the group’s expansion over the medium to long term, although specific development plans for the property have not been disclosed.

The RM62.53 million acquisition will be funded through a combination of internally generated funds and bank borrowings. Completion of the transaction is expected by the first quarter of 2027.

The Silicon Island development in Penang has reached another milestone, with more than 480 acres of land reclaimed as the 2,300-acre project enters its fourth year of development.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng said the project, which began reclamation works in September 2023, had attracted RM1.9 billion in investment to date and benefited more than 4,400 local contractors.

The development is expected to attract around RM70 billion in investments, generate an estimated RM1 trillion in economic value by 2050, and create more than 220,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

According to Joshua, the RM1.9 billion spent so far has also helped stimulate activity throughout the local supply chain, generating procurement opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises while increasing demand for goods and services.

More than 900 Malaysians have secured employment through the project to date, he said, contributing to Penang’s efforts to retain local talent and develop the skilled workforce needed for future industries.

The physical development of Silicon Island is also gradually taking shape, with part of the reclaimed land allocated for the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) depot.

The depot will occupy approximately 70 acres and serve as a key facility for train stabling, cleaning, maintenance and repair.

Goh said finding a suitable 70-acre site on Penang Island for the depot would have been challenging, particularly without disrupting existing developed areas.

“Silicon Island provides the space needed for the depot while supporting one of the most significant public transport investments in Penang’s history,” he said.

Looking ahead, Joshuas said the focus as Silicon Island enters its fourth year should extend beyond physical development and investment figures.

The key challenge, he said, would be ensuring that the island’s economic growth translates into higher-value employment, stronger opportunities for local businesses and more opportunities for Penangites to build their careers in the state.

With reclamation progressing and supporting infrastructure taking shape, Silicon Island is expected to play an increasingly important role in Penang’s longer-term economic and urban development.

Pesta Pulau Pinang will return this December at a new location, as the former Sungai Nibong grounds make way for the development of the Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) and a future transit-oriented development (TOD).

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this year’s month-long Pesta Pulau Pinang will take place at Padang Menora in Tasek Gelugor from December 1 to 31.

While the new venue is smaller than the traditional Sungai Nibong grounds, Chow said it was suitable for continuing the annual event.

The relocation comes as the Sungai Nibong site is being repurposed for the construction of an LRT station and depot. The state had previously considered several alternative venues before the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) offered the Padang Menora site.

Despite the move, the state government has decided to retain the Pesta Pulau Pinang name, recognising the event’s long-standing brand built over more than 50 years.

Meanwhile, the former Pesta grounds are being planned for a much larger transformation.

A proposed 23.47-hectare TOD Masterplan aims to turn the Sungai Nibong site into a mixed-use transit hub incorporating residential, commercial and public facilities.

The draft masterplan is being developed through a collaboration involving the Penang state government, Asian Development Bank, MRT Corp and various federal and state agencies, and is expected to be finalised in October.

The large-scale redevelopment is expected to take 10 to 15 years to fully implement, potentially reshaping Sungai Nibong into a more integrated transit and urban development node.