Penang is set to attract more international high-tech companies to venture into the state once the new Penang Technology Park@Bertam is completed in two years.

The project, which is being built by Ideal Property Group, is set to become a catalyst for economic growth in the region as it focuses on high-technology industries.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it was a timely boost for the state as this project will spur the development of other related projects, especially in the north Seberang Perai district.

“The Penang Technology Park@Bertam spanning 880 acres, will uphold the state’s competitive edge, optimising the state’s resources to harness its full potential for strategic investors.

“The park is also designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating features such as green spaces, energy efficient facilities, recycling and waste management systems.

“This shows that Ideal Property Group is not only focusing on economic success, but also on the environment and social well-being,” he said in his speech during the Penang Technology Park@Bertam groundbreaking ceremony at Jalan Tun Hamdan Sheikh Tahir in Kepala Batas today.

Chow said the state has always emphasised the importance of sustaining a dynamic ecosystem.

“We now have sufficient industrial land to meet the needs of industry in the future, especially in Seberang Perai.

“We also acknowledge that incorporating tripartite Public-Private and People partnership plays a crucial role in paving the way to become a high-income economy,” he said.

On the investment front, Chow said Penang continues to fare well by clocking in RM14 billion in its approved manufacturing investments last year, representing 16% of the country’s total.

“We will not rest on our laurels, but strive for excellence to position Penang as a hub for advanced manufacturing,” he added.

Through the state’s investment arm InvestPenang, Chow said Penang has consistently attracted investments from afar.

Ideal Property Group executive chairman Tan Sri Datuk Alex Ooi said it was a milestone for the Group.

“We embark on an exciting new project to create a dynamic hub for talent, innovation and technology.

“This technology park is not only attracting foreign investments, but also from the local technology companies as well,” he said, estimating the value of gross domestic product (GDP) at around RM4.2 billion.

Ooi believes that the technology park would be the next vibrant satellite city for Penang.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee has initiated two guidelines – one for high-rises and the other, for landed properties – to regulate short-term stays in Penang.

The Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said both guidelines have been approved by the state executive council on March 8.

“Both guidelines must now be enforced.

“We have been receiving many complaints regarding short-term stays.

“Such practices have disrupted the other residents of the affected housing schemes.

“We formulated these guidelines not to deny owners of properties (be it high-rise or landed) from renting them out, but to regulate short-term stays,” Jagdeep said in his speech during the Strata Management Seminar 2023 in Mercure Penang Beach in Tanjung Bungah yesterday.

Jagdeep also highlighted a few terms in the guidelines for short-term stay.

“For stratified projects classified under ‘residential zone’, one must first obtain the approval from his or her joint management body (JMB) or management corporation (MC) through the annual general meeting (AGM) before having to comply with other terms in the guidelines. Service apartments classified under ‘commercial zone’ must also comply with the term.

“After complying with all the terms in the guidelines, and if approval is given (for the residential or commercial unit), the short-term stay must not be more than three days in a row. And it must also not be more than 180 days in a year,” he said.

Jagdeep said the hotels in Penang are well-equipped with facilities to cater to the needs of the tourists.

“These hotels can assist our tourism sector.

“We must be fair to the people and the tourism sector,” he said.

On a separate matter, Jagdeep said the Local Government and Housing Ministry has agreed in principle to provide two Commissioner of Building (COB) Department deputy directors for Penang, one for each local council in the state.

“Under the purview of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), there are 293 stratified schemes which have set up their JMB; 977 schemes which have set up their MC; 102 schemes which are being managed by developers, and eight schemes which are managed by agents who are appointed by COB.

“The COB divisions, both on the island and mainland, need manpower to perform their job well.

“I have explained to the minister and he understood,” he said.

MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757) has been gazetted and enforced in June 2015.

“Nevertheless, there are still issues and challenges faced in the enforcement of the Act,” he said.

Yew hoped that the participants would benefit from the seminar.

Also present were MBPP secretary Datuk A. Rajendran, Penang COB Department director Nurul Azian Mohd Nordin, and Penang Housing Board general manager ‘Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

About The Light City

A 32.76-acre integrated mixed-use waterfront development by  IJM Perennial Development in Gelugor, Penang. Strategically located next to The Light Collection, just a mere minutes drive from Penang Bridge and George Town.  It will feature a retail mall, Penang’s largest convention centre to be called Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, two hotels to be operated by renowned hotel brands, a 28-storey office tower, and two premium residential projects named The Mezzo and The Essence.

Find out more about The Light City

The over-a-century-old moat of Fort Cornwallis, under the premier historic structure restoration project, is set to be reinstated before it is open to the public in 2025.

The moat, on the south and the east, will be restored to its former glory.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Fort Cornwallis restoration project was an important component under the ‘North Seafront Master Plan’.

“This project shows the state government’s commitment to upgrading the historical place, establishing a centre to gather historical information and developing it into a famous tourism spot.

“This project is developed through a public-private partnership (PPP), with the collaboration between the Federal Government and the state government.

“The restoration of the moat also includes the upgrading of a food court nearby Fort Cornwallis,” he said in his speech during the pre-launching ceremony today.

The initiative, Chow said, is being undertaken by the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC), which is a tripartite alliance consisting of the Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), Think City Sdn Bhd and Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

A mini gallery in Fort Cornwallis’ store room is scheduled to be completed in August this year.

Chow said a mock-up of the moat, measuring 200 square metres, had been completed for the contractor’s reference.

“It is important to ensure the contractor, who will be appointed soon, is adhering to the Unesco World Heritage Site guidelines,” he added.

When met by reporters, CMI deputy general manager Datin S. Bharathi said the overall cost incurred for the restoration of the moat and the upgrading of the nearby food court was about RM20 million.

Think City Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Fazal said he was pleased with the development of the overall project.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

A proposed mixed development by Sierra Residences (M) Sdn. Bhd. at Sungai Jawi. Located along Jalan Sungai Bakap, next to JKR Seberang Perai Selatan. It’s only a mere minutes’ drive from Jawi Toll Plaza, just a short walking distance to nearby amenities which include Econsave Hypermarket, clinics, banks and eateries.

This mixed-use development, which includes both commercial and residential components, will be completed in several phases:

Phase 1

• 2-storey detached shop office (1 unit)
• 3-storey semi-detached shop office (8 units)

Phase 2

• 4-storey commercial building, comprises a total of 171 shop offices with 2 levels of car park.
• 2-storey detached shop office (1 unit)
• 10-storey hotel (140 rooms)

Phase 3

• 39-storey serviced residence (540 residential units)

The project is still pending approval. More details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Sungai Jawi, Penang
Property Type : Mixed development
Tenure : Freehold
Total Units: 540 (serviced suite), 181 (shop offices)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : Sierra Residences (M) Sdn. Bhd.