Penang will no longer allow new worker accommodation facilities in residential areas from Sept 1, as the state introduces tighter guidelines aimed at gradually shifting from Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) towards Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ).

Local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the new guidelines would limit worker accommodation to commercial and industrial areas. TLQ permits issued under the 2024 guidelines will remain valid for three years and expire on Dec 31, 2027.

Existing worker accommodation facilities in residential areas will be reviewed if operators apply to continue their operations. The review will take into account factors including complaints received, with H’ng citing long-standing premises such as those in Taman Pelangi near Juru as examples.

Penang currently has 1,617 permitted TLQs under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and another 1,492 under the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP). In comparison, the state currently has only two CLQs under MBPP and four under MBSP.

The new guidelines also introduce minimum space and toilet requirements. Dormitories must provide at least 3 sq m of space per worker, with one toilet for every 15 workers. For high-rise buildings, the minimum is 3.6 sq m per worker, with one toilet for every six workers.

Application fees are set at RM1,500 per unit for accommodation measuring 750 sq ft or below, and RM3,500 per unit for units measuring 751 sq ft and above.

Operators must first obtain a permit from the relevant local authority before applying for a Certificate of Accommodation from the Penang Labour Department.

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Affordable housing project by Focal Products Sdn. Bhd. in Farlim, at the junction of Jalan Teochew Satu and Jalan Thean Teik. It is right next to Hui Aun Apartment and just 1km from Sunshine Central. The development features a total of 646 residential units with 11 levels of car parking podium. With direct access to Thean Teik Highway, residents enjoy excellent connectivity and nearby conveniences.

Find out more about Mandarin Residence

Source: Final Draf RSNPP2040

A proposed “Penang Gateway” development along Penang Island’s northern coastline has emerged as one of the potential future development concepts identified in the draft Penang Structure Plan 2040.

The proposed concept involves reclamation and mixed development extending from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi, with potential uses including tourism, services, trade and property development. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed that the state government has received a proposal related to the area, but stressed that it remains only a proposal at this stage.

Speaking after the “R.A.C.E To Zero: Penang Edition” clean energy summit on Thursday, Chow said the area needs to be incorporated into the structure plan first so that any future development proposal would not face planning constraints should it eventually proceed. He also emphasised that the structure plan is intended to provide a framework for possible future development, and not every proposal included in the plan will necessarily be implemented.

According to reports, the draft does not currently specify the proposed reclamation area, development cost, developer or construction timeline for Penang Gateway.

The concept also revives an earlier proposal involving the northern coast. In 2019, the state government confirmed that it had received a private proposal to reclaim about 121 hectares of sea off Batu Ferringhi for a mixed development comprising hotels, commercial components and serviced apartments. At the time, Chow said the proposal remained subject to further assessment and approvals.

The latest proposal should therefore not be regarded as an approved reclamation project. Its inclusion in the draft Penang Structure Plan 2040 indicates that the state is considering the area within its longer-term spatial planning framework, while the actual scale, design, environmental impact and feasibility of any development would depend on subsequent studies and approvals.

Penang already has several major reclamation initiatives forming part of its longer-term development planning, including the Silicon Island Development and various waterfront projects. The proposed Penang Gateway would represent a significant new addition to the island’s northern development corridor if eventually pursued.

Andabreeze Residences, a serviced residence development by Pixel Valley Sdn Bhd, a member of Kerjaya Prospek Group in Batu Kawan. Located on a 4.86-acre land at the intersection of Persiaran Cassia Barat 3 and Persiaran Cassia Barat 5, adjacent to Columbia Asia Hospital and Vertu Resort Condominium. It is only a few minutes walking distance to Central Island Park and UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College.

The project comprises two residential blocks, Blok A and Blok B, offering a total of 1,406 residential units. Blok A is a 54-storey building with 744 units, while Blok B is a 47-storey building with 662 units, each featuring a recreational area on its top floor.

The 9th floor is dedicated to shared facilities and recreation, including management office, swimming pool, hall, gym, and other amenities for both blocks. An 8-level car parking podium is provided for residents.

Property Name: Andabreeze Residence
Location : Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan
Property Type : Serviced residence
Total Units : 1,406
Built-up Size: 624 sq.ft. – 1,281 sq.ft.
Land Tenure : Freehold
Indicative Price : RM518,000 onwards
Developer : Pixel Valley Sdn Bhd

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.

Source: The China Press

Plans for a new bridge linking Penang Island to Pulau Jerejak are taking shape, with the proposed 1km crossing envisioned as a distinctive landmark rather than a conventional road bridge.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said the bridge is planned with four lanes, comprising two lanes towards Pulau Jerejak and two lanes towards Penang Island, together with pedestrian and cycling paths. Road widening works leading to the proposed bridge are expected to begin next month, but the bridge itself has yet to start construction as its final design is still being refined.

Sim said he had proposed that the developer give the bridge its own identity, noting that Penang already has the First and Second Penang Bridges. The developer has accepted the suggestion and plans to engage two international architects and one local architect to work on the design. No final visual rendering is available yet.

The bridge is expected to take about three years to complete, with a target completion date of March 2029. Once completed, it would provide direct road access to Pulau Jerejak, which currently remains accessible only by boat, potentially improving connectivity and attracting more visitors.

The bridge is part of a proposed development covering about 80 acres on Pulau Jerejak. The plans include a financial centre, resort facilities, serviced apartments and hotels, with the aim of creating a business ecosystem capable of attracting banks, venture capital firms, private equity firms and other investment institutions.

Sim said the proposed financial hub could complement Penang’s technology and semiconductor industries by bringing investors closer to the state’s estimated 20,000 IC design engineers. He said many engineers have technical expertise and business ideas but remain employed by companies partly because they lack access to funding to start their own ventures.

By concentrating technology companies and investment institutions in the same area, he said startups could have greater opportunities to engage with potential investors and obtain funding.

Development on Pulau Jerejak will be subject to environmental, heritage and aviation-related constraints. Large portions of the island are forest reserve, while the developer is limited to its approximately 80-acre landholding. Building height restrictions will also apply.

Sim said the developer had been asked to restore selected historical sites, including the Russian Sailors’ Cemetery. Pulau Jerejak previously served as a quarantine location and retains several historical remnants, making heritage conservation an important consideration in the planned development.

Separately, Sim, who is also Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, said Malaysia could potentially achieve high-income nation status within the next few years, possibly within two to three years, as the economy continues shifting towards higher-value industries such as electronics, semiconductors and advanced technology.