Penang will conduct an assessment of the structural safety of all heritage buildings across the state following yesterday’s incident where debris from a heritage shophouse along Armenian Street fell, injuring two tourists.

State local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the state government would discuss with the National Heritage Department the appointment of an independent engineer to conduct a study and identify heritage buildings deemed unsafe or at risk.

“Once the study is completed, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) may issue notices to owners of the identified buildings (requiring them) to undertake the necessary restoration works,” he told Bernama on Wednesday (Aug 5).

In the incident, two Sri Lankan tourists were injured after a wooden beam and concrete debris fell from a heritage building along Armenian Street, with preliminary inspections indicating that the collapse was caused by termite damage.

The victims, Mohamad Ammtar, 66, and Fatimah, 55, were given initial treatment at the scene before being taken to the Penang Hospital (HPP) for further treatment.

H’ng stressed that efforts to preserve the heritage value of buildings must not compromise public safety.

He said that although conservation works must retain the original features and structures of heritage buildings, alternative materials that are more durable and safe should be considered when the original materials, such as wood, are no longer suitable.

Regarding the victims’ condition, H’ng said he was informed that the male victim was discharged from HPP on Wednesday after receiving treatment.

However, he said Mohamad Ammtar’s wife was still receiving treatment and would undergo a computerised tomography (CT) scan to assess the extent of her injuries.

On Tuesday, state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and MBPP had been asked to issue advisories to owners of heritage buildings across the state.

He said the incident underscored the need to ensure the structural safety of old and heritage buildings to prevent similar occurrences.

Source: Bernama

(Picture: NST Online)

PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) has opened tenders for Packages 2 and 5 of the Juru-Sungai Dua Traffic Dispersal Project (PTJSD) as the project enters its next phase, with Package 1 recording an overall physical progress of 34.63 per cent as of July 31.

In a statement today, PLUS said the tender process for Packages 2 and 5 was underway, marking another milestone in the implementation of the project.

“The progress achieved to date demonstrates the strong commitment of all parties involved in delivering PTJSD on schedule. The opening of tenders for Packages 2 and 5 also marks another significant milestone towards delivering a long-term solution to ease traffic congestion along the Juru-Sungai Dua corridor,” it said.

To maintain the project’s momentum, PLUS said it continued to optimise construction activities through simultaneous works at multiple locations, extended working hours, including weekends, and the deployment of high-capacity machinery to ensure the project remained on track.

It said it would continue to work closely with the Works Ministry, the Malaysian Highway Authority, the Penang government, local authorities, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure every phase of the project was implemented safely, efficiently and on schedule.

Under Package 1, utility relocation works have reached 75 per cent completion, while geotechnical works along Jalan Tun Hussein Onn, including the construction of a new bridge, have achieved 68 per cent completion.

“Works at the East-West Interchange have reached 48 per cent in preparation for the next phase of construction,” the statement said.

PTJSD is expected to benefit more than 200,000 highway users daily by separating expressway traffic from local traffic, reducing travel time along the Juru-Sungai Dua corridor from approximately one hour to about 20 minutes.

Source: Bernama

A proposed small strata landed housing development on an approximately 0.65-acre site along Jalan Kebun Telang, adjacent to Villa Bunga Telang. The site is located approximately 3km from Gurney Drive and about a 10-minute walk from Island 88 shopping mall. It is also surrounded by a wide range of established amenities, including schools, healthcare facilities, retail outlets and dining options within a short drive.

The development will comprise 16 units of four-storey strata terrace homes within a gated and guarded community. The project is currently at the planning stage, with further details, including built-up sizes, pricing and the development timeline, yet to be announced.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Tanjung Tokong
Property Type : 4-storey terrace (strata)
Land Area: 0.65 acres (approximate)
Total Units : 16
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
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 at the time of publication. 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.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry is in the final stage of drafting the proposed Real Property Development Act, a new law aimed at strengthening the regulation of Malaysia’s property sector.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the proposed legislation would expand regulatory oversight beyond residential developments to include selected commercial property projects, while maintaining a balanced approach that safeguards both industry players and consumers.

Speaking at the AREC Forum 2026: Rethinking Real Estate: Housing With Hearts, Nga said the proposed Act is one of five key housing reforms introduced by the ministry to improve governance, transparency and efficiency within the property sector.

The other initiatives include the electronic Sale and Purchase Agreement (eSPA), the Housing Integrated Management System (HIMS), the National Property Data System, and regulated housing development accounts. Collectively, these measures are intended to enhance oversight of property developments and support the government’s goal of eliminating sick and abandoned housing projects by 2030.

Nga also highlighted the progress of the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP), which has helped more than 95,000 first-time homebuyers secure financing. Of the RM40 billion allocation under the scheme, RM22 billion has been utilised, with participation from more than 17 financial institutions. The ministry is targeting 100,000 beneficiaries under the programme.

Malaysia’s homeownership rate currently stands at 77%, and the government aims to increase it to above 80%. Nga described homeownership as not only providing shelter for families but also serving as a means of wealth creation and long-term financial security.

The forum also featured China’s Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong and Sime Darby Property Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmir Merican. The session was moderated by United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) executive director Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

The Penang government has approved temporary land title extensions for 217 landowners in Kampung Valdor, extending their leasehold tenure to 99 years. The approval letters were presented during a ceremony at SJKC Kampung Valdor, attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Penang Trade and National Unity Committee chairman Goh Choon Aik, who is also the Bukit Tambun assemblyman.

According to Chow, the lease extension provides greater legal certainty for homeowners while enhancing the long-term value of their properties. He said the move is expected to make inheritance and estate planning easier, improve access to financing, and support more sustainable development within the village. He added that the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening land ownership security and improving residents’ quality of life, in line with the Penang2030 vision.

The milestone follows a series of engagement efforts by the state government. A dialogue session with Kampung Valdor residents was held in January 2025 to explain the 99-year lease extension policy and the premium discount incentives available under the programme. This was followed by the opening of dedicated service counters at the Kampung Valdor multipurpose hall in May and June 2025, where residents received assistance with their applications.

Chow said the close cooperation between the Batu Kawan parliamentary service centre, the Bukit Tambun state constituency service centre, and the South Seberang Perai District Land and Mines Office helped simplify the application process and accelerate approvals. The collaborative approach, he noted, reduced administrative complexity and enabled residents to complete the necessary procedures more efficiently.