Penang has set aside 10 acres of land in Batu Kawan, valued at approximately RM40 million, for the development of a new Automation, Test and Equipment (ATE) Campus aimed at strengthening the state’s semiconductor ecosystem. The initiative is part of a broader effort to bring together local and international companies within the ATE subsector, creating a collaborative hub that supports innovation, talent development and supply chain integration.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government, through the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), is supporting the initiative as part of its long-term strategy to enhance local capabilities within the manufacturing sector. He noted that while Penang continues to attract strong foreign investments, developing stronger local participation remains essential.

According to Chow, many local companies in Penang already possess significant experience, with some having operated for more than three decades while others have built up two decades of industry expertise. Strengthening these local players will help them grow further and contribute more meaningfully to the state’s industrial ecosystem. He emphasised that nurturing local capabilities will be a gradual process, but it is necessary to ensure Penang does not remain solely dependent on foreign capital.

The proposed ATE Campus is also expected to unify different parts of the ATE supply chain, encouraging collaboration among industry players. The initiative follows earlier efforts by the state to strengthen its semiconductor value chain, including the IC design initiative introduced in 2024. Through these initiatives, Penang hopes to attract more investments while developing the talent needed to support a more complete and resilient technology ecosystem.

InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian said the future campus in Batu Kawan will function as both an innovation centre and a collaboration hub for ATE companies. The facility is expected to house local firms while also providing opportunities for foreign companies to work alongside Malaysian organisations in research, training and technology development.

While the dedicated campus may take two to three years to materialise, collaboration among industry players has already begun. For instance, the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) is currently providing space for a laboratory to support early-stage activities before the permanent campus is developed.

InvestPenang is also preparing a proposal to seek funding support from the federal government, including agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). The proposal, expected to be submitted by mid-year, will outline funding requirements for shared laboratories, training programmes and collaborative initiatives between multinational companies and local firms.

About Ayana Residence

Ayana Residence is a contemporary residential development strategically located in Teluk Air Tawar, within an established and steadily growing neighbourhood on Penang’s mainland. This project is nearing completion and is anticipated to receive its Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) this year, giving buyers assurance that their residence will soon be available for vacant possession.

With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, each unit offers 900 square feet of carefully planned living space. The layout emphasizes practicality, efficient use of space, natural lighting and good ventilation to ensure a comfortable living environment. The spacious living and dining areas are designed to accommodate everyday family activities, while the bedrooms provide adequate privacy and comfort for residents.

Residents will enjoy convenient access to a wide range of amenities within Teluk Air Tawar and the surrounding Butterworth area. Daily essentials and lifestyle conveniences such as Lotus’s Bagan Ajam, Pantai Bersih, Robina Eco Park, schools including SJK(C) Aik Keow, supermarkets, healthcare facilities, eateries and banks are all within a short 5 to 10-minute drive. The development also benefits from good road connectivity to nearby commercial centres, ensuring smooth commuting and easy access to work, education and leisure destinations.

Designed to support modern and practical living, Ayana Residence offers a comfortable residential environment suitable for young families, first-time homebuyers and working professionals. With its strategic location, practical layout and anticipated completion within the year, the development presents a promising opportunity for both homeownership and long-term property investment in Penang’s mainland property market.

Find out more about Ayana Residence

Sunrise Terrace, also known as Taman Fajar Permai, is a landed residential development by Evergreen Mansion Sdn. Bhd. in Nibong Tebal. Located off Jalan Fajar Indah, just a mere minute’s drive to the state border between Penang and Perak, it is about 5 km from Jawi Toll Plaza, easily accessible to an abundance of nearby amenities via Federal Route 1.

The development comprises a total of 142 units of 2-storey terrace houses, each built on a land area of 20’ x 76.5’ (1,561 sqft) with a built-up area of 20’ x 41.5’ (1,660 sqft). Each unit features four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is conveniently located near surrounding amenities such as public schools, eateries, banks, and grocery stores.

Project Name: Sunrise Terrace
Location : Nibong Tebal
Property Type : Terrace
Built-up Size: 20’ x 41.5’ (1,660 sqft)
Land Area: 20’ x 76.5’ (1,561 sqft)
Total Units: 142
Land Tenure: Freehold
Indicative Price : RM600,000 onwards
Developer: Evergreen Mansion Sdn. Bhd.

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data at the time of publication. 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.

A prime parcel of reclaimed waterfront land near Gurney Drive has recently surfaced in the market, drawing attention from property observers and industry insiders. The site, measuring approximately 26 acres, is reportedly being marketed for sale by property agents as a potential large-scale mixed development opportunity in one of Penang Island’s most prestigious coastal corridors.

According to a listing circulated by real estate negotiators, the land is described as a freehold site zoned for commercial or mixed development, strategically positioned between Gurney Drive and Tanjung Tokong. The marketing materials suggest the site could accommodate a large-scale waterfront project comprising residential, commercial and hospitality components, potentially forming a new landmark development along the northern coastline of the island.

The listing places the asking price at RM1.8 billion, translating to approximately RM1,589 per square foot based on the stated land size. However, market observers believe the eventual transaction price could be significantly lower depending on negotiations and development parameters.

Separate reports from local media suggest that the land could realistically change hands at around RM900 to RM1,000 per square foot, implying a potential transaction value of around RM1 billion.

The Penang state government will discuss with the relevant authorities following reports that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Jelutong landfill rehabilitation and reclamation project has been rejected by the Department of Environment (DOE).

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he was not aware of the rejection reflected on the EIA portal and would need to verify the information before commenting further.

“I am not aware of the matter yet. We will discuss it with the relevant authorities and obtain more information,” he said during a press conference at the Penang Skills Development Centre in Bayan Baru.

According to the DOE’s online portal, the EIA submission for the proposed project has been classified as “not approved”.

The RM1 billion proposal involves rehabilitating the former Jelutong landfill and reclaiming adjacent coastal land north of the Penang Bridge. The reclaimed land is intended to temporarily store waste excavated from the landfill before the area is eventually transformed into a mixed-use development.

The site spans about 65 hectares, comprising 36 hectares of the former landfill and 29 hectares of newly reclaimed land next to the Karpal Singh Drive waterfront.

The project was first formalised in 2020 when the Penang Development Corporation signed an agreement with PLB Engineering Bhd to undertake the rehabilitation and reclamation works. The works were expected to take four to five years to complete, although no visible work has commenced since the agreement was signed.

The proposal has faced opposition from residents and environmental groups, including those associated with the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee. The group recently urged the state government not to grant the developer additional time if the EIA was not approved.

Environmentalists have also expressed concerns that reclamation near the old landfill could impact public health and harm the nearby Middle Bank, a shallow coastal area known for its extensive seagrass beds and marine biodiversity.

The Middle Bank sanctuary covers about 10 square kilometres in the South Channel between Penang Island and the mainland and supports more than 400 species of flora and fauna, including endangered green turtles, dugongs, seahorses and the critically endangered horseshoe crab.

Previously, Chow said reclamation was necessary to provide sufficient space for the landfill rehabilitation works while ensuring the sensitive marine ecosystem at Middle Bank would not be affected. He added that the state government would take steps to avoid encroaching on the sanctuary area and consider public feedback received during the EIA process.