Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the Gurney Bridge at Andaman Island here as the ‘Widest Box Girder Bridge in Malaysia’.

E&O managing director Kok Tuck Cheong received the recognition from MBOR chief executive officer Christopher Wong during The Meg Appreciation Evening here, witnessed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and E&O executive chairman Datuk Seri Tee Eng Ho.

In a statement yesterday, E&O said the 450-metre bridge spanning the sea and measuring 40 metres wide features eight vehicular lanes as well as dedicated pedestrian walkways on both sides, linking Andaman Island to Gurney Drive and improving connectivity along Penang’s northern coastline.

PDC will reopen bidding for the proposed 226-hectare Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2 (BKIP2) project in Byram after the second request for proposal (RFP) failed to materialise.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the second RFP, which was advertised on March 10 last year, attracted two bidders. However, the process could not proceed after the successful bidder’s strategic or joint-venture partner withdrew from the proposal.

According to Chow, the bidder also failed to meet several key conditions outlined in the RFP requirements.

“As such, the PDC board has agreed to recall the RFP and will advertise it again soon,” he said in a written reply during the state assembly sitting.

The response was made to Batu Kawan Industrial Park-related questions raised by Lee Khai Loon regarding the status of the second bidding exercise.

Chow added that if the upcoming RFP still fails to secure a suitable strategic partner, PDC would reassess all available options, including the corporation’s financial position, project viability, and prevailing market conditions.

No details were disclosed regarding the successful bidder, the competing bidder, the proposed bid values, or the agreement terms.

The RM3.5 billion BKIP2 project previously drew public attention in 2023 when PDC signed a joint development agreement with Umech Land Sdn Bhd. The deal involved the sale of land valued at RM646.02 million.

However, the agreement was later terminated following scrutiny over the project valuation and ownership changes after Sunway Bhd acquired a 70% stake in Umech Land shortly before the agreement was signed.

In 2024, a consortium led by IJM Properties submitted an RM818 million proposal, but it was rejected for failing to comply with several key RFP requirements.

A Penang state assemblyman has proposed introducing a 3% property transfer premium on non-Penang buyers or sellers in an effort to curb speculative property activities and improve housing affordability for locals.

During the debate on the governor’s address at the state assembly, Ong Ah Teong said some outstation buyers viewed Penang properties primarily as investment assets rather than homes, contributing to artificial demand and rising property prices.

He proposed amendments to state land laws and regulations to impose a 3% transfer premium on buyers or sellers who are not Penang-born, permanent residents, or registered Penang voters for at least three terms.

According to Ong, the measure could help ensure the local housing market better serves Penangites instead of speculative investors.

“Property is a human right, not a speculative commodity for profit and wealth,” he said during the assembly sitting.

Ong also highlighted concerns over the growing number of unsold residential units in the state. He noted that Penang recorded 14,344 unsold homes as of the second quarter of 2024, with most units concentrated in the higher-priced segment.

He warned that the situation could worsen if developers continue prioritising high-end developments that offer better profit margins, potentially resulting in more unsold properties and a market mismatch for ordinary homebuyers.

The Batu Lanchang assemblyman further cautioned that excessive speculation could eventually contribute to a property bubble, leaving local residents to bear the economic consequences if the market weakens.

He suggested that revenue collected from the proposed levy could be channelled into a housing trust fund to support Rumah Mutiaraku projects as well as rent-to-own initiatives for the B40 group and young Penangites.

Ong also cited similar ownership controls implemented in places such as Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, and Spain.

Acacia Park, the latest residential addition to Tambun Indah’s established Pearl City township in Simpang Ampat. Sitting adjacent to the completed Dahlia Garden, the development puts residents within minutes of Pearl City Mall, GEMS International School, SMJK Jit Sin II, and the township’s growing range of shops and amenities. The North-South Expressway and Penang Second Bridge are both roughly a 10-minute drive away, keeping the city and the island well within reach.

The project comprises 95 units of 2-storey terrace homes offered in two layout options. Both layouts share the same core specification: 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, with every bedroom having its own attached bathroom.

Property Project : Acacia Park
Location : Pearl City, Simpang Ampat
Property Type : 2-storey terrace
Total Units: 95
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Tenure : Freehold
Developer : Palmington Sdn. Bhd.
Indicative Price: RM700,000 onwards

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.

About Nexus Industrial Hub

Nexus Industrial Hub is a freehold light industrial development situated in Jawi, Nibong Tebal, close to Sungai Bakap and Batu Kawan. It consists of 40 two-storey semi-detached units designed for a range of uses, including warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, and office-industrial setups. Key design elements include high ceilings, wide internal roads, multi-point entry for loading and unloading, and natural daylight to support practical operations.

The development offers three unit types with different build-up and land sizes, providing options to accommodate varying business scales. Its location is linked by the North-South Expressway and in proximity to the Penang First and Second Bridges, with nearby access to established industrial areas and local amenities.

Find out more about Nexus Industrial Hub