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

Suria 2, is the second phase of Hijau E-Komuniti master-planned development by PDC at Batu Kawan. Strategically located on 7.48 acres of land along Jalan Cassia Barat 1, adjacent to the first phase (Suria 1) which was completed five years ago. It is just a mere minute’s drive to nearby amenities, which include IKEA, Design Village Outlet Mall, Central Island Park, UOW Malaysia KDU University, Peninsula College and several popular eateries.

This development will offer a total of 520 affordable housing units, featuring three different layout sizes:

• Type B – 800sq.ft. (RM72,500)
• Type C1 – 900sq.ft. (RM168,000)
• Type C2 – 1,000sq.ft. (RM220,000)

The construction work is expected to start by end of 2022, to be completed within three years.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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

Project Name : Suria 2 @ Hijau E-Komuniti
Location : Batu Kawan
Property Type : Affordable housing
Total Units: 520
Built-up Area: 800sq.ft., 900sq.ft. & 1,000sq.ft.
Indicative Price: RM72,500 onwards
Developer : Penang Development Corporation

Location Map:

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.

About GEM Residences

GEM Residences, a commercial development by Belleview Group at Prai, Penang. It is part of the company’s 6 hectares mixed development along Jalan Baru, diagonally opposite Megamall Penang. Next to it will be the upcoming largest mall in the northern region – GEM Mall, the tenant mix include SOGO (first and largest departmental store in the northen region at 212,000 sq.ft.) and a supermarket (largest at 50,000 sq.ft.).

Find out more about GEM Residences

The Penang government today announced that the Penang Development Corporation’s (PDC) latest affordable housing project in Batu Kawan, called Suria 2, will have its construction works begin in Dec this year.

Suria 2, which will cover 7.48 acres of total land size, is part of the 25 phases planned under the affordable housing development by the Penang government in Batu Kawan.

PDC chief executive officer Aziz Bakar said that 200 acres of total land size have been allocated for the development of housing projects under the 25 phases planned out.

“We have planned to build a total of 11,800 units of various types of affordable housing in all the phases.

“As for Suria 2 (under Phase Two), we will have a total of 520 units.

“Out of the 520, 371 will be Type C units, while 149 will be Type B units.

“We are looking at completing the project within three years with an estimated budget of RM102 million for construction works,” Aziz told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Suria 2 affordable housing project in Batu Kawan today.

Suria 1, which was completed, was the first project under Phase One.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to officiate the ceremony, applauded PDC and the entire team for working hard in planning and executing affordable housing projects in the maturing township of Batu Kawan.

“The whole team is working hard to add value to the development of Batu Kawan as an all-rounder township in Penang.

“As we all know, Batu Kawan is a town that has it all, from commercial, residential and institutional developments to the ever-growing Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).

“Despite difficult situations, I believe Covid-19 has also opened a space to speed up developments here in Batu Kawan.

“Congratulations to PDC on Suria 2.

“We will continue to do our part in delivering sufficient affordable housing projects for Penangites,” said Chow during his speech.

Meanwhile, state Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the planning for housing in Penang has evolved tremendously over the years.

“PDC, as an experienced arm of the state government in the real estate sector, has greatly contributed to the development of affordable housing projects in Penang.

“It’s latest project, Suria 2, is a good proof that the state cares for the well-being of the people,” Jagdeep said.

Speaking of Suria 2, he added that Type C1 which cost RM72,500 for each unit, has a total size of 800sq ft; while Type C2 which is RM220,000 has 1,000sq ft in size. Meanwhile, Type B which is 900sq ft, cost RM168,000 per unit.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

House ownership remains among the top concerns for youths according to the first edition of the Youth Aspiration Manifesto Survey.

The three-part survey carried out by Architects of Diversity (AOD) in collaboration with Undi18 and UndiNegaraku comprised 3,089 respondents aged 18-30 nationwide.

AOD co-founder Jason Wee said the findings showed nearly two-thirds of respondents (59%) feared they would be unable to purchase a home in their lifetime.

“Almost all respondents (90%) wanted the government to develop more affordable homes, especially for youths aged 25-30.

“At the same time, three quarters (75%) of respondents felt that a ceiling price should be set on rent that can be charged on tenants,” he said at a press conference on April 7.

Wee added that 54% of respondents also agreed with the imposition of a tax towards property owners who left their properties vacant for prolonged periods.

Among other items highlighted in the survey were youth concerns about future employment opportunities, with bumiputera and east Malaysian respondents especially, expressing their concern.

“In regards to these issues, political parties and policymakers stand to gain youth support through providing economic empowerment.

“This cannot be further delayed as convincing and meaningful economic narratives have to be developed for the Malaysian youth,” he said.

The results from the second and third editions encompassing aspects of healthcare, and law and order will be made public within four weeks.

Source: TheStar.com.my