More than 200 families living in the Weld Quay reclamation area are moving closer to relocating to their new homes at Cecil Residency, following the approval of the project’s Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CCC).

The residents gathered at the site on Friday evening to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with their families, carrying lanterns and enjoying the occasion together. The gathering could potentially be their final Mid-Autumn celebration at the site, which is earmarked for redevelopment.

Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng told residents during the celebration that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has approved the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation for Cecil Residency, a PDC-developed affordable housing project on along Pintasan Cecil.

According to Wong, around one month is now required to complete the necessary administrative procedures. Following this, the Land Office and Penang Housing Board (LPNPP) are expected to issue letters to the affected residents. The Land Office will issue notices requiring residents to vacate the existing site, while LPNPP will issue letters relating to their replacement homes.

The ballot exercise to determine the new housing units is expected to be held in October. Residents who wish to purchase additional units may also be given priority, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements for affordable housing.

Cecil Residency comprises 348 units, while more than 200 households are affected by the relocation. According to Wong, the number of units is sufficient to accommodate the affected households under the state’s one-for-one replacement arrangement.

The affected residents, many of whom have lived in the Weld Quay reclamation area for generations, currently hold Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) issued by the state government. The relocation is part of the state’s plans to redevelop the state-owned Weld Quay reclamation land following the residents’ relocation.

The latest development marks a further step towards the long-awaited relocation, which was previously expected to take place after the completion of Mutiara Line LRT support pillar works near Cecil Residency.

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