China-based Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Ltd plans to set up a distribution park in Batu Maung, Penang to capitalise on the strategic location and global surge in e-commerce.

The logistics company, an affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, today inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to conduct viability and feasibility studies on the development of the planned distribution park including the proposed components.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the results of the studies are expected to be out within six months to a year.

“Following the MoU signing, Cainiao has earmarked a piece of land measuring approximately 12.14ha owned by PDC close to the Batu Maung Air Cargo Complex and about 3.1km from the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, to be studied for the development of a distribution park.

“The distribution park in Penang is planned to encompass a regional e-commerce and logistics hub, serving the e-commerce small and medium enterprises and cater to the demand for warehousing and distribution by air cargo operators,” he told a press conference after witnessing the MoU signing today.

Chow said given the global expansion of the logistics industry, the plan for a distribution park in Penang is timely and relevant.

He said distribution centres provide a single location to stock a large number of products making it a fundamental component of a supply network, and such facilities are in high demand in Penang, which is a prime location for industries and export-oriented businesses.

The MoU was signed by PDC CEO Aziz Bakar and Cainiao KLIA Aeropolis Sdn Bhd CEO Tim Fan.

Fan said Malaysia is a very strategic location for the logistics company and it sees a huge opportunity to grow in this market.

“Our first hub in Malaysia is at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and we want to grow the business in the northern region with Penang being the second (hub),” he added.

Source: Bernama

The road widening works in Jalan Bukit Minyak Utama from Kota Permai junction to the Jalan Rozhan junction in Bukit Mertajam are expected to be completed by Nov 30, 2023.

Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon said the road widening works started on Jan 28 this year.

“We are confident that the project will be completed within the given time.

“The works are currently ahead of schedule and are at 3.9%.

“The 1.1km road widening works cost around RM8.49 million and are fully funded by the Penang government.

“The works will include the installation of medians on the road to help control traffic movement and avoid head-on collisions of vehicles.

“It is hoped that when the road widening works are completed, it will help to ease traffic congestion in this area,” Lee told a press conference during a site visit today.

Also present was Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Ong Jing Cheng.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

A newly proposed luxury residential development by Galaksi Bebas Sdn. Bhd. in George Town. Strategically located within an upscale neighborhood, on 1.6 acres of land at the intersection of Jalan Cantonment and Jalan Biggs. It is just a stone’s throw away from St. Christopher’s International Primary School, less than 5 minutes drive to Gurney Drive.

This development will see the demolishment of the existing 2-storey bungalow houses, for the construction of a 13-storey luxury condominium. The building will feature 51 luxury residential units and two levels of car parking podiums. Resident facilities and swimming will be located at level 1.

The project is still in its planning stage. More details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : George Town
Property Type : Serviced residence
Total Units : 51
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer: Galaksi Bebas 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.

The Malaysian Housing Financing Initiative (i-Biaya) is one of four components of the Home Ownership Programme (HOPE) and among the efforts of the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to increase home ownership among the people.

KPKT deputy secretary-general (Housing and Community Wellbeing), Datuk Azhar Ahmad said the initiative would focus on the B40 and M40 groups who still faced problems with access to house financing.

“Among the contributing factors to the financing issue are the failure to get housing loans due to poor credit record, the high level of risk and insufficient documents to support the ability to repay the loan.

“It is also a medium that supports the provision of 500,000 affordable homes as targeted in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).”

Azhar said this at the media briefing on i-Biaya which will be launched on April 14 by KPKT Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Finance Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

There are three schemes to be offered through i-Biaya which are Skim Jaminan Kredit Perumahan (SJKP) via SJKP Berhad, Skim Rumah Pertamaku (SRP) by Cagamas SRP Berhad and Skim Rent-to-Own (RTO) by Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA).

“The SJKP is to help first-time homebuyers who do not have a fixed income such as gig economy workers, business owners, traders or small entrepreneurs.

“This group usually does not have the usual documents to obtain housing loans such as no salary slips, earning a low income, no EPF contribution and so on,“ said Azhar.

The SRP, on the other hand, helps first-time homebuyers from the M40 and B40 groups to own a house without having to pay the down payment and is open to self-employed individuals or employees whose gross household income does not exceed RM10,000 for single applicants or joint applicants.

Meanwhile, the PR1MA RTO Scheme will open up opportunities for the middle-income group (M40) to own a house through an affordable ownership scheme with a hire purchase concept for all existing PR1MA units throughout Malaysia.

All three schemes can be applied through the 26 banks involved.

Source: Bernama

Penang’s mission of diversifying tourism offerings on the mainland took a major step today after the launch of the ‘Opposite Side of the Island – Seberang Perai campaign’ at Iconic Hotel in Bukit Mertajam.

As part of the ‘Experience Penang’ campaign, the highlight of today’s launch was the Seberang Perai tourism product promo video, which featured interesting and exciting tourist attraction spots – from the Frog Hill, Kampung Agung and Cherok To’Kun Hill to Design Village Mall, IKEA Batu Kawan and others.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who was present to officiate the ceremony, said today’s campaign aimed at bringing domestic and international visitors to Penang to experience the various tourism spots, particularly on the mainland.

“This is very much in line with the Penang Tourism Master Plan, which integrates the new National Tourism Policy (2020 – 2030) and the state’s Penang2030 vision of a ‘Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.

“The state aspires to diversify tourism products all over the island and mainland. Penang has a variety of tourism offerings that are undiscovered, especially those in Seberang Perai.

“With the wide array of agrotourism and ecotourism offerings, Seberang Perai can also be developed and transformed into a nature-based tourism destination.

“This will also create a better variety of tourism experiences that can satisfy all types of visitors who come to our state,” Yeoh said in his speech during the launching of the ‘Opposite Side of the Island – Seberang Perai campaign’ at Iconic Hotel in Bukit Mertajam today.

Relatively, he also reminded visitors to spend at least five to seven days in Penang because the state is filled with must-see places that are quite impossible to cover in a short stay.

“If you wish to explore Penang well enough to uncover its hidden gems, then make sure to stay longer because you will need it,” Yeoh added.

Among those present during the launch were Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Chief Minister Incorporated deputy general manager Bharathi Suppiah.

Source: Buletin Mutiara