Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today officiated the early launch of the Silicon Island Experience Centre, as the state’s ambitious 2,300-acre development reached a major milestone with 500 acres of land reclaimed as of October 2026.

Located at the development site, the 2,500-square-foot centre was completed in four months at a cost of RM2.5 million. It aims to provide investors, industry players and the public with a clearer understanding of Silicon Island’s master plan and long-term potential.

Chow described Silicon Island as more than a land reclamation project, saying it would serve as a strategic catalyst for Penang’s economic growth over the next 50 years.

“Fifty years ago, Penang took a bold leap into semiconductors. Today, Silicon Island marks our next chapter of ambition, creating new room for high-value technology, advanced packaging, research and development (R&D), and AI-driven innovation,” he said.

The development will feature an integrated ecosystem of high-tech industrial areas, residential and commercial developments, and green spaces, including a 700-acre Green Tech Park. It is also projected to generate more than 220,000 jobs across high-tech industries, the creative economy and modern services.

Sustainability will remain a key focus, with Silicon Island holding five-diamond accreditation under the Low Carbon Cities framework and targeting a 45% reduction in carbon emissions compared with conventional urban development.

State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the experience centre would feature an interactive LED scale model controlled via an iPad, allowing visitors to explore the development’s various components.

These include more than 110km of planned dedicated cycling and pedestrian paths, alongside 402 acres of designated green spaces, coastal parks and marine conservation zones.

Connectivity will be supported by the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project, including a bridge linking Permatang Damar Laut directly to Silicon Island. According to Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, the first phase of PIL2A, costing RM420 million, is progressing, with the first section of the bridge targeted to open in December 2028. The full project is expected to be completed in June 2029.

Meanwhile, more than RM30 million has been channelled towards assistance for local fishermen, including ex-gratia payments, boats, engines and improvements to fishing facilities. Environmental mitigation measures include artificial reef placement and a phased programme to plant 200,000 mangrove and other suitable trees by 2030.

Chow acknowledged the environmental, social and legal challenges encountered throughout the project but said the state remained committed to its long-term economic potential.

With the experience centre now open, the state government hopes to attract more international partners and investors to explore opportunities on Silicon Island as reclamation and infrastructure development continue.

Photo for illustration only

The RM33 million Mount Erskine underpass project in Penang will be redesigned to incorporate a tunnel, avoiding the need to excavate a busy road and minimise traffic disruption during construction.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said the original plan to excavate the road would have required major road closures, affecting motorists travelling along Mount Erskine, Jalan Gottlieb, Jalan Burma and Jalan Bagan Jermal.

“If we close the roads, there will be even more complaints,” she said during a Dewan Rakyat special chamber session in response to a question from Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid.

Aiman said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), which oversees the project, had completed land acquisition and appointed consultants to prepare the design.

The project was initially announced with an estimated cost of RM25 million under last year’s federal budget. However, the Penang government subsequently sought RM33 million for the project during a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in March last year.

The federal government initially approved RM5 million for preliminary works this year before granting the full RM33 million on June 9, following MBPP’s completion of the preliminary work ahead of schedule.

Aiman stressed that the project had not been delayed and remained in the technical preparation phase to ensure construction safety and quality.

The design is expected to be completed by December 2026, with the tender process scheduled to begin in February 2027 and close by the end of March. The contractor is expected to be appointed in June, with site possession scheduled for July 2027.

The proposed tunnel will measure approximately 780m long and 8m wide, with completion targeted for November 2030.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, will open InterContinental Penang Resort this December, marking the brand’s first resort in Malaysia and introducing a new coastal retreat for travellers seeking beauty, culture and a more considered way to experience the world.

Set between rainforest, coastline and the Andaman Sea, the resort will bring InterContinental’s distinctive perspective on modern luxury to one of Malaysia’s most storied destinations, creating a place where guests can slow down, look closer and connect more deeply with the character of Penang. On the quieter shores of Teluk Bahang, away from the energy of George Town, InterContinental Penang Resort will invite guests into a different rhythm of island life: mornings framed by tropical greenery, days shaped by the sea, and evenings that celebrate Penang’s rich culinary and cultural heritage with ease and elegance.

With 348 rooms and suites, Club InterContinental, four restaurants and bars, Gemala Spa, family facilities and versatile spaces for gatherings, the resort will offer an early glimpse of a destination designed for travellers who value time well spent, stories worth sharing and luxury that feels both effortless and connected to place.

A first look at InterContinental Penang Resort

Guided by InterContinental’s belief that travel should open doors to new perspectives, the resort will be shaped around experiences that feel personal, enriching and rooted in the destination.

Destination discovery will sit at the heart of the stay, from design details and dining journeys to curated moments that draw guests into Penang’s Peranakan heritage, creative spirit, coastal rituals and island way of life.

A refined sense of place will define the resort’s design, with spaces inspired by the coastline, tropical landscape and natural textures, and rooms and suites that frame the Andaman Sea, gardens or surrounding greenery with quiet sophistication.

Club InterContinental will offer a heightened layer of privacy and personalised service, creating a calm retreat within the resort for guests who appreciate intuitive care and a more tailored pace of travel.

A taste of what is to come

Dining will be central to the experience, reflecting the modern luxury traveller’s appetite for flavour, place and connection. Four restaurants and bars will bring together Penang’s heritage, international influences and the pleasures of coastal dining, from Peranakan flavours at Sulam and the warmth of Italian dining at Paradiso, to the refined Nikkei experience of SHINKA and oceanfront moments at Coastal.

Wellbeing, family stays and meaningful occasions

At Gemala Spa, guests will be invited to pause and restore through wellness experiences inspired by Penang’s multicultural healing traditions and contemporary practices, set within a tropical sanctuary designed for balance and renewal.

For families, celebrations and considered gatherings, the resort will bring together thoughtful spaces and experiences, from Planet Trekkers Kids Club and an interactive games room for teenagers to a Grand Ballroom, meeting rooms, boardroom and outdoor lawns shaped for memorable moments by the sea.

A new milestone for InterContinental in Malaysia

The December opening will mark an important milestone for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia, bringing the brand’s pioneering heritage and modern view of luxury to one of Southeast Asia’s most culturally compelling island destinations.

“What makes this resort special is the way Penang reveals itself through every part of the stay,” said Jeffrey Seward, General Manager of InterContinental Penang Resort. “Guests will be able to wake up beside the Andaman Sea, explore Teluk Bahang’s quieter coastline, taste Peranakan flavours at Sulam, enjoy sunset moments at Coastal, and then retreat to the calm of Gemala Spa. As we prepare to open this December, our focus is on creating a resort that feels deeply connected to Penang while offering the ease, refinement and thoughtful service today’s luxury travellers expect from InterContinental.”

InterContinental Penang Resort is scheduled to open in December 2026. Further details on the opening and reservations will be shared in due course.

One of the most affordable freehold homes in Batu Kawan? SkyWorld Cassia is bringing an eye-catching price point to the market.

SkyWorld Cassia is set to attract attention with prices starting from just RM288,800, offering an affordable entry point for buyers looking to own a freehold property in Batu Kawan.

The development features units with a built-up area of 900 sq ft, with a fixed maintenance fee of RM0.18 per sq ft for 10 years, equivalent to approximately RM162 per month.

With prices from RM288,800, SkyWorld Cassia could appeal particularly to first-time homebuyers looking for an affordable home, as well as buyers seeking to enter Batu Kawan’s growing property market.

The project is located near key amenities including IKEA Batu Kawan, Design Village Outlet Mall and Batu Kawan Industrial Park. Its connectivity to the Second Penang Bridge also provides access to Penang Island.

Interested buyers can register their interest below and stay tuned for its official launch soon!

Source: Google Street View

Land 33 Berhad, formerly known as ACME Holdings Berhad, is acquiring a 4,287 sq m freehold property along Cantonment Road in George Town, for RM32.3 million as part of its plans to expand its property development portfolio.

In an announcement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the company said its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pacific Horizon Sdn Bhd, had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Julian Lim Chung Yi, together with Pamela Ong Siew Im and Christy Toh Siew Teng as administrators of the estate of the late Lim Chung Ching, to acquire the property for RM32,301,418.80.

The property, located at No. 3, Cantonment Road, comprises a two-storey bungalow on freehold land measuring approximately 4,287 sq m.

According to the announcement, the property is currently rented out for use as a pre-school education centre operating under the name Tadika Sains Kreatif.

Land 33 said the acquisition would add the property to its existing land bank for future property development. The company cited the site’s location within an established residential area, with access to amenities such as schools, colleges, hospitals and shopping malls, as factors supporting its potential for future development.

The proposed acquisition is also expected to diversify the group’s income streams and potentially contribute to its future earnings and long-term growth, subject to prevailing market conditions and successful implementation.

The purchase consideration will be funded through a combination of internally generated funds and bank borrowings, with the final proportion to be determined later. A 10% deposit of RM3.23 million has been paid to the vendors’ solicitors as stakeholders, while the remaining RM29.07 million is payable in accordance with the terms of the sale and purchase agreement.

The transaction is subject to court approval for the sale and transfer of the deceased’s half share in the property. Land 33 expects the acquisition to be completed within six months, barring unforeseen circumstances.

The company said the acquisition is not expected to have a material effect on its earnings, net assets or gearing for the financial year ending March 31, 2027, although it is expected to contribute positively to the group’s earnings over time.