A global leader in optical solutions, ams Osram (formerly known as Osram), is expanding its presence in Penang. The company has selected a 60-acre site at the Penang International Technology Park (PITP), Batu Kawan, for its expansion.

ams Osram vice-president Glen Brownlie said the company was delighted to announce its partnership with InvestPenang and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to develop the 60-acre greenfield land in Batu Kawan.

“Here, we will create a state-of-the-art campus. It will be home to cutting edge manufacturing facilities as well as a research and development (R&D) centre to design and develop the next generation of highly integrated optical solutions.

“Our campus will be green and clean, and a flagship facility that is visible to those arriving in Penang through Batu Kawan.

“The development of the site involves significant capital and commitment for both the purchase of the land and the construction costs which will add to the over RM5 billion that we have so far invested in Bayan Lepas over the last five decades.

“More details of the actual investment figures will be available later after we finalise our detailed plan,” he told the media during the investment announcement ceremony at PDC in Bayan Lepas today.

Brownlie said the company was among the first to set up in Penang 50 years ago.

“Along with several other ambitious corporations, we were the pioneers – the Eight Samurais – as we have been affectionately coined, who saw Penang for what it could be.

“Throughout the past five decades, and with the cooperation and support of the Penang government and agencies, we have grown from strength to strength.

“Our success has matched the success of the state. We have grown together,” he said.

Brownlie also said that the company has about 6,000 employees in ams Osram Malaysia.

“Within those 6,000 employees, we have about 350 R&D dedicated engineers, currently based in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

“The goal is to bring R&D into Asia and Malaysia. One of the reasons why we chose to stay and partner with Penang is the talent availability.

“Penang can attract talent and that is something that is not so common. We know that we can bring in talent and we can develop talent.

“We have some very good local universities here. We have the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC).

“It is a constant challenge to get talents, but I think the industries in Penang is doing a good job. And the people here are very strong,” he said.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the construction of the new ams Osram campus was scheduled to begin in the second quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of next year (2023).

“With ams Osram’s 50 years of presence here, this investment is indeed a strong testimony for Penang as a sustainable location for high-quality investments.

“ams Osram has witnessed, participated and contributed to the state’s industrialisation journey, transforming Penang into the Silicon Valley of the East.

“I believe that our robust industrial ecosystem, strong talent pool and conducive business environment are among the key factors for ams Osram to deepen its roots and widen its product portfolios in Penang,” Chow said.

Chow said the global optoelectronic components market is estimated to reach over US$61 billion by 2028, versus the US$42 billion market size in 2021, according to Vantage Market Research.

“I am glad that the merger between ams and Osram in March 2021 has rendered us with great opportunities to further cement Penang’s position in the global optical solutions market.

“ams Osram’s expansion plan is aligned with the state government’s direction in utilising the resources to their fullest potential.

“Repurposing our existing assets is one of the state’s multi-pronged, long-term strategies to create a positive and sustainable impact to the industry development, high-value job creation and talent attraction,” Chow said.

Approximate location:

Source: Buletin Mutiara

About Taman Riang

A small landed residential development by Airmas Group at Butterworth. Located on a 1.5-acre land near the ever-bustling Jalan Raja Uda, it is less than 4km away from Penang Sentral and Butterworth ferry terminal. It features 18 units of 2-storey terrace houses with a built-up size of at least 1,600 sq.ft. Each unit will come with 4 bedrooms and bathrooms.

(Photo taken in Feb 2022)

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PR1MA project in Penang. Now completed and fully booked. (Source: Facebook)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday that the self-employed can now apply for loans for the Perbadanan Pr1ma Malaysia Berhad (PR1MA) housing scheme through the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP).

He said SJKP — which is fully owned by the Ministry of Finance — allowed greater flexibility for young people interested in buying their first home as it did not have the stringent requirements of conventional home financing, and therefore, would benefit entrepreneurs as well as gig economy workers.

“This effort is in line with the announcement made during Budget 2022 last year where a total of RM2 billion was allocated to SJKP to implement this mandate,” he said during his visit to Residensi Larkin Indah here yesterday.

“This proves the government’s commitment to seeing Malaysian families gain access to housing financing such as PR1MA more easily and widely.

Ismail Sabri also said that Residensi Larkin Indah buyers would be the first to be offered this form of financing before it was expanded to other PR1MA projects.

Also present at the event were Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and PR1MA chairman Fathul Bahri Mat Jahya.

PR1MA is a government-owned corporation that aims to plan, develop, construct, and maintain high-quality housing for middle-income households in key urban areas and sell it to first-time Malaysian buyers.

Source: MalayMail.com

CapitaLand Investment Limited’s (CLI) wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott) will be managing Ascott Gurney Penang, the first international-class serviced residence in the state under Ascott’s world renowned luxury Ascott The Residence brand. Ascott Gurney Penang is owned by Plenitude Berhad, a publicly listed company with investments in hospitality and property development.

Mr Mondi Mecja, Ascott’s Country General Manager for Malaysia said: “Ascott’s flagship brand, Ascott The Residence, offers exclusivity, personalised services and impeccable comfort to discerning travellers around the world and we are proud to debut the first Ascott-branded property in Penang. Providing spacious and well-designed rooms as well as a plethora of facilities and food and beverage options, guests will be able to find their home-away-from-home at Ascott Gurney Penang. Ascott’s recognition as the ‘World’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2021 is a testament of our strong brand reputation and operational excellence. We invite guests to experience our award-winning hospitality in one of Malaysia’s most historical cities.”

Located along seafront promenade in the heart of bustling George Town, Ascott Gurney Penang caters to both business and leisure travellers as well as corporate long-stay guests. The 37-storey Ascott Gurney Penang offers 271 modern apartments, ranging from studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Each unit provides separate living and dining areas, fully equipped kitchen, as well as built-in washer and dryer.

Ascott Gurney Penang lobby provides an elegantly practical space; a sizeable art installation greets our guests, complimented by floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering views of the sea. The building hosts a stunning selection of artwork by both local and international artists. Facilities at Ascott Gurney Penang include an infinity swimming pool, gymnasium, yoga room, residents’ lounge, children’s playroom, children’s playground and dedicated outdoor barbeque areas.

The property also features an outstanding range of versatile and accommodative event and meeting spaces. Guests are able to host private meetings of up to 20 participants at the property’s well-equipped meeting rooms while the ballroom with banquet service can host up to 800 guests for weddings or corporate events.

Ascott Gurney Penang is also the hotel and serviced residence in Penang to provide food and beverage options. Guests can experience a gastronomical feast across 3 F&B outlets- Timur Coffee House, Jo’s Bar and Glass Bar. Guests can dine at the property’s all-day-dining restaurant, Timur Coffee House or unwind at the lobby cocktail bar, Jo’s Bar. They can also lounge at the poolside Glass Bar after a long day.

Foodies staying at Ascott Gurney Penang will be thrilled with multicultural cuisines from the surrounding hawker outlets nearby. The Gurney Drive Hawker Centre renowned for its delectable seafood dishes is a mere five-minute drive from Ascott Gurney Penang. Notable iconic and historical landmarks such as Fort Cornwallis, Kapitan Keling Mosque and Khoo Kongsi are all within a 5- to 10-minute drive from Ascott Gurney Penang. Guests can also shop to their heart’s content at the Gurney Walk shopping mall which is linked to Ascott Gurney Penang. Gurney Paragon Mall and Gurney Plaza are a three- to five-minute drive from the servived residence.

Special opening rates start from RM388 per night for Ascott Star Rewards members
In celebration of the opening of Ascott Gurney Penang, members of Ascott’s loyalty programme, Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) can enjoy special promotional rates starting from RM388 per night. The promotion is available from now till 30 September 2022.