The Penang government, through the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) will continue to carry out joint inspections of the mandatory installation of water saving devices in new development projects in Penang.

State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this was one of the measures taken to conserve water usage at the State Legislative Assembly sitting at the State Assembly building in Light Street, George Town, today.

He also pointed out that water usage has a direct correlation with its tariff, saying that countries with high tariffs tend to have low water usage while Penang, which has one of the lowest tariffs, has high water consumption.

“The inspection with SPAN was carried out for the first time in Penang in August this year. This initiative will be implemented continuously every year to ensure the implementation of new projects to have WSD requirement is taken seriously.

“In addition, the state government through PBAPP will intensify awareness of water-saving programmes or campaigns in schools, factories, places of worship and exhibitions after Malaysia had entered the endemic stage.

“PBAPP will also launch the Aqua Save programme with the cooperation of the Penang Green Council, offering certificates to eligible parties like schools, factories, government offices, places of worship, hotels, shopping complexes, NGOs and others that have made efforts in water conservation,” said Zairil (PH – Tanjong Bunga), on behalf of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, in reply to an oral question by Ong Ah Teong (PH – Batu Lancang).

Ong wanted to know the plans of the state government to lower the rate of water consumption per capita to ensure water security for the state as he said the water usage in Penang now exceeds the national average and is two times compared to Singapore.

Chow, in the meantime, is recovering from a Covid-19 infection.

Zairil said for medium and long-term proposals, PBAPP has drawn up a Raw Water Contingency Plan 2030 (RWCP 2030) involving five projects.

They include the upgrading of the sediment tank of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) which was completed this year, the Sungai Dua WTP Package 2 that is currently under construction, construction of Mengkuang WTP (Phase 1) which is expected to be completed in 2025, construction of Sungai Muda WTP (Phase 1) and Sungai Perai WTP which is expected to be completed in 2028.

He said if the construction works and upgrading of the water supply infrastructure under the RWPC 2030 are completed, they would yield 569 MLD.

Zairil added that the Penang government would also try to continue negotiating with the Perak government to ensure that the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS) could be implemented following the results of the final study report by the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA).

The report, he said, stated that the water capacity of the river is sufficient for Perak to cover the needs of north Perak, Penang and downstream Chenderoh and irrigation until 2050.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Foreshore Residence, a mixed development by Tanjung Villa Development Sdn. Bhd. (a subsidiary of Tah Wah Group) in the heart of George Town. Strategically located along Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway, adjacent to Sandilands Condominium. It is only about 5 minutes drive to Penang Bridge, with an abundance of essential amenities easily accessible within 10 minutes walking distance.

This development comprises a 50-storey building with 9 levels of car parking podium, offering a mix of residential units and shop offices. The residential components include:

• Serviced residence (192 units)
• Affordable housing – 900sq.ft. (402 units)
• Affordable housing – 800sq.ft. (80)

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing
• Full list of affordable housing in Penang

Property Project : Foreshore Residence (formerly known as Sandiland Foreshore)
Location : George Town
Property Type : Mixed development
Tenure: Leasehold
Built-up Size: 800sq.ft. & 900sq.ft (affordable housing)
Total Units: 14 (shop office), 192 (serviced residence), 484 (affordable)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : Tanjung Villa Development Sdn. Bhd. (Tah Wah Group)

SITE PROGRESS

SITE PROGRESS: Foreshore Residence (Aug 2024)

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.

With Penang becoming the first state in North Malaysia to have a 5G network in September this year, the Penang government will focus on developing telecommunications infrastructure in the industrial sector to overcome the current global and domestic challenges.

In an interview with Buletin Mutiara, Penang Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari pointed out that the government will promote the state’s economic development through 5G technology and automation, as well as strengthen the development of Penang’s industrial sector.

He said that the Penang government’s vision is to create Penang as an international smart city in line with Penang Vision 2030.

“To achieve this vision, the state government aims to achieve 100% gigabit speeds in densely populated areas to make Penang a gigabit city.”

151 5G communication structure to be set up by year-end

He said that in the first phase of the Penang 5G implementation plan, 151 5G communication structures will be set up in Penang this year, 82 have been completed so far and the remaining 69 will be completed by the end of this year.

As of the 3rd quarter of this year, the areas that have been covered by the 5G network include George Town, Balik Pulau, Sungai Pinang, Batu Lancang, Bukit Gelugor, Sungai Tiram, Batu Maung and Bayan Baru.

“As for Phase 2 of the Penang 5G implementation plan, 235 communication structures will be set up in the Seberang Perai and 77 in the Penang Island by 2023.”

He pointed out that the 312 communication structures are located in 80 in SPU, 34 in SPS, 121 in SPT, 1 in South West and 76 in North Eas District.

Several challenges faced during implementation

He told reporters that the biggest challenges during the implementation of the 5G network include the difficulty of obtaining consent from the building owners or the landowners to build 5G communication structures.

“Secondly, it is difficult to find a location that meets the guideline regulations and is suitable for the construction of communication structures. Then there were also some objections from residents.”

Then there was the delayed response from the relevant external technical department, he said.

“Smart street light poles are the main carrier of 5G new infrastructure, so the design of this aspect, too, is extremely challenging.”

He pointed out that despite various factors and challenges, fortunately they were all within control and did not affect the progress of implementing 5G measures in the state.

Zairil mentioned that when implementing 5G network equipment and setting up communication structures, Experts will assess whether the radiation levels are at a safe level and will be set up according to guidelines that are being implemented worldwide.

“Therefore, the implementation of the 5G network will not cause harm to people.”

He said that some people would strongly oppose the establishment of 5G network equipment, arguing that this 5G equipment would release radiation that would harm people’s health.

He clarified that this is incorrect and does not exist, he said frankly, each electronic product or Internet equipment will release a certain amount of radiation, but as long as it is under a safe level of radiation, it is not harmful, and will not destroy human cells as some remarks suggest.

He cited, for example, cell phones are also electronic products that generate radiation, compared to cell phones are close to the body, cell phone radiation will be closer to the body than the 5G communication structure, but everyone is still inseparable from their mobile phones every day.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has raised the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points (bps) to 2.75%, its fourth consecutive rate hike since May.

BNM said the OPR hike, which increases the cost of borrowing, was needed to control inflationary pressures amid the country’s strengthening economy.

In May, the central bank raised the OPR to 2% from 1.75%, reportedly the lowest on record, following a 25 bps cut in July 2020. It raised the OPR by another 25 bps to 2.25% in July and hiked it up by another 25 basis points (bps) to 2.50% in September.

In a statement, BNM said that inflationary pressures were “more persistent than expected” due to strong demand, tight labour markets, and elevated commodity prices, despite improvements in global supply chain conditions.

BNM said the adjustment would also pre-emptively manage the risk of excessive demand on price pressures.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday.com

Penang expects to welcome more manufacturers to relocate to the state next year, said special investment advisor to Penang chief minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon.

He said the relocations will boost the state’s economic growth, thanks to its business-ready infrastructure.

“It is safer for the companies to relocate their facilities here as the state and Malaysia, in general, are considered green zones.

“Taiwan, for example, is a red zone country with earthquakes and typhoons. Malaysia is a much safer place, and plus, we already have the supply chain, so this could be the wild card for us,” he told Bernama after officiating at the opening of NI Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s new supply chain distribution hub on Tuesday.

Lee said the state has started receiving inquiries from foreign companies currently based in China to relocate here due to the ongoing US-China tussle.

Nevertheless, he cautioned that manufacturers should expect business to be a little quiet in 2023, in line with the global market expectations, taking into account a possible recession.

When asked about Penang’s July-December 2022 approved manufacturing investments, Lee predicted the state would register the same amount as in the first half of the year, making a return to the pre-pandemic level.

Earlier, Lee was reading the speech by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who has been confirmed positive for Covid-19.

In his speech, Chow said Penang topped the nation’s list in 2021 with an all-time high export value of RM354 billion, with electrical and electronics products and medical devices making up about 80% of the state’s total exports.

“Penang was among the top contributors to the country from January to June 2022, with RM7.9 billion in approved manufacturing investments.

“In January to August 2022, Penang’s export value climbed 30% year-on-year to RM291 billion, representing 29% of the country’s total.

“And, it lately led the nation’s list once again with a total of RM14.4 billion or 33.2% of the nation’s total exports in September 2022,” said the chief minister.

Meanwhile, NI managing director Selvam Chinappan said the completion of its Penang distribution hub will play a critical role in strengthening the company’s global footprint.

“The facility will also serve as a global distribution centre for its software-connected automated test and automated measurement systems.

“When fully operational, the facility will further enable NI’s growth for products related to Industry 4.0 Megatrend applications, including Internet of Things, [5G], and Automotive (Advanced Driver Assist Systems and Autonomous Driving) technology,” he said.

NI Penang’s new wing is part of the broad-based expansion plan that NI announced in 2019, which includes US$40 million (RM189.45 million) in capital investment and the creation of 250 new jobs across research and development, manufacturing, and sales capabilities.

Commenting on the launch of NI’s new global supply chain distribution hub, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) chief executive officer Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman said moving forward, Mida plans to push for even greater productivity and sustainability outcomes.

“We want to create higher-skilled jobs that command higher wages, guided by the National Investment Aspirations,” he said.

NI is an American multinational company that produces automated test equipment and virtual instrumentation software and began its operations in Penang in 2009.

Source: TheEdgeMarkets.com