Graphic impression

After 50 years, the Penang ferry service will see a RM100mil makeover, including the arrival of a fleet of four new ferries costing RM16mil each.

Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan said the terminal upgrade on the island and mainland were expected to be completed in mid-June and October next year respectively.

A total of RM30mil is being spent on transforming the Raja Tun Uda terminal on this island and the Sultan Abdul Halim terminal next to Penang Sentral in Butterworth.

Four new ferries, each costing RM16mil, will be ready for service by mid-2023.

“This is the first major expansion of the ferry terminals in the last five decades.

“We want to transform the entire area into a vibrant public transport hub with retail outlets, hawker stalls and a business centre,” Sasedharan told The Star.

“It’s time for ferry travel to be something to look out for as we have 2.5 million pedestrians and 1.5 million two-wheelers using the ferry services every year.

“The waiting area will feature amenities like those you see in airports. It’ll be air-conditioned, have WiFi, feature universal access to cater for disabled persons, have phone charging docks, passenger lifts, as well as retail and food and beverage areas,” he added.

On the new ferries, Sasedharan said they would resemble the iconic Penang ferries, even retaining the familiar shade of yellow that many are familiar with.

However, the new ferries are much faster, needing only 10 minutes to complete the journey like the present fast passenger-only boats.

The new ferry can take in about 250 passengers, including two- wheelers.

“It is 35m in length, compared to the old ferry which is 55m.

“Basically, it is a combination of a water bus and vehicle transporter.

“It will take 12 to 18 months to bring in the ferries commissioned by Dutch company Damen Shipyards Group which won the tender.

“There was a plan to get five ferries, with the option of buying the fifth one later, as there could be more technologically advanced ferries in the future,” he added.

Sasedharan also said the Transport Ministry would contribute RM30mil, with the first RM15mil disbursed this month and the balance to be given next year.

He said PPSB would pump in RM70mil for the upgrade and purchase of new ferries, adding that the move would reduce the operating loss of present ferry services from RM20mil to RM7mil a year.

“As a public transport provider, we have requested a fuel subsidy.

“The new ferries will need less manpower, as such it will reduce our operating cost.

“We have also proposed that the price of the ferry tickets, which is currently RM1.20, be increased to RM1.50 or RM2 to keep up with the times. The ferry rates have not been revised for a long time,” he said.

The entire expansion plan, added Sasedharan, was aimed at moving people instead of vehicles.

“We have plans in the future to have a multi-storey car park where commuters can just park their cars and take a ferry ride.

“At present, such facilities are not available at the ferry terminal area on the mainland. This discourages people from riding ferries,” he said.

Penang’s ferry service started in 1894 using steamships. The fleet had been replaced many times over the years.

This previous fleet of boxy, double-deck old ferries were commissioned between 1971 and 2004.

The iconic Penang ferries ceased operation on Dec 31 last year, with only a single ferry now carrying two-wheelers with pedestrians plying from the ferry terminal between the island and the mainland.

A Ro-Ro boat is also being used to carry two-wheelers with pedestrians, while fast boats are used for foot passengers to travel between the island and mainland.

All four-wheelers are presently using the two Penang bridges to cross over the Penang channel.

On another matter, Sasedharan said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong would launch the “Cruise to Nowhere” at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal on Dec 26.

Source: TheStar.com.my

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With a presence in Penang that spans nearly half a century, Intel Technology Sdn Bhd is set to further anchor Penang’s position as an advanced manufacturing hub with its latest advanced packaging facility in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.

The new expansion facility is called the Pelican Project.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the guest of honour at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, said that over the years, Intel has established strong linkages with the domestic economy and had played a fundamental role in anchoring Penang’s position as an advanced manufacturing hub.

“Having made their mark here outside of the United States that spans nearly half a century ago, Intel has grown into a high-tech campus.

“This includes an assembly and test facility, Malaysia’s largest product design and development centre, and one of the only two Intel shared services hubs that support human resources, finance, procurement, information technology and supply chain operations.

“Today, I am pleased to share that Intel will be expanding its operation in Malaysia, investing more than US$7 billion (RM30 billion) over the next ten years.

“This investment project focuses on the expansion of Intel’s assembly test manufacturing and the buildout of die preparation capability with the addition of advanced packaging capabilities to Intel’s operation in Malaysia, which is expected to create over 4,000 job opportunities,” Chow said during his speech at Intel’s Pelican Project groundbreaking ceremony in the Bayan Lepas FIZ yesterday.

The over RM30 billion investments lined up by Intel spanning the next ten years is a testament to Intel’s success in Malaysia for its nearly 50 years of presence. The additional investments will help expand Intel Malaysia’s operations from time to time.

It was learnt that the new facility would begin its production in 2024.

Separately, Chow reiterated that Penang is among the key pillars of the country’s investment inflow and external trade.

“The state recorded two years of outstanding investment performances in a row, which include 2019’s all-time-high achievement of RM17 billion, and the second highest in 2020 with RM14 billion,” he added.

Apart from Intel’s tremendous involvement in bolstering world economy through its core business, Chow also expressed his appreciation to the company for its exemplary corporate citizenship.

“Intel has committed over RM5 million to the Covid-19 Relief Assistance in the country, supporting hospitals, schools, frontliners and under-served families.

“The company has also helped vaccinate over 17,000 people from its own workforce, neighbouring companies and their respective supplier companies,” Chow added.

Meanwhile, Intel’s chief executive officer Patrick Gelsinger, who was not able to make the trip for the ceremony due to unforeseen circumstances, addressed the congregation via a video.

“I am terribly saddened for not being able to be there to witness this extremely important milestone by Intel with all of you.

“It is absolutely spectacular to see the growth that Intel has sketched in Malaysia, particularly in Penang.

“From around 100 employees since we made our mark for the first time in Penang in 1972, now we have more than 13,000 employees.

“That is absolutely amazing!

“This new plant will enable us to further expedite and steward the Moore’s law.

“We will continue to grow and expand our presence here in Malaysia, and a special thanks to the government officials here for accommodating Intel’s continued interest to contribute vastly to the economy.

“Thank you to all our staff here for also playing a part in taking this prominent next step forward,” Gelsinger said.

Intel Malaysia managing director Chong Aik Kean, during her speech, said that Intel’s Pelican Project would set a new trademark in the company’s presence here in Malaysia.

“We are pleased to celebrate this milestone that will create more job opportunities for the people, while setting new landmarks in Intel’s assembly test manufacturing sector,” she said.

Chow then said Penang would be stepping into the 50th anniversary of its industrialisation journey in 2022.

“This is a significant milestone that testifies the state’s conducive environment in captivating sustained interests from investors,” he added.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Andaman Island – the highly-anticipated prime reclaimed island of Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2A by E&O. Located directly across the waters of Seri Tanjung Pinang and Gurney Drive, the 253-acre island is expected to have a GDV of over RM17 billion, which will take over 15 years to complete. The first link bridge connecting the northern part of Andaman Island to Seri Tanjung Pinang has already been completed several months ago. A second bridge is now under construction to connect the southern part of the island to Gurney Drive.

The Meg marked the first project in Andaman Island, featuring two blocks of 27 and 34-storey serviced apartments with an estimated GDV of RM690 million. It comprises 1,020 residential units with innovative layouts designed to suit young executives and new families.

Project Name : The Meg
Location : Andaman Island, Off Gurney Drive
Property Type : Serviced residence
Tenure : Freehold
Land Area: 4 acres
Built-up Area: 567sq.ft. – 879sq.ft.
Total Units : 1,020
Indicative Price: RM500k onwards
Developer : Persada Mentari Sdn. Bhd. (a subsidiary of E&O Berhad)

SITE PROGRESS

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (June 2025)

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (Nov 2024)

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (Apr 2024)

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (Dec 2023)

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (Aug 2023)

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (Mar 2023)

SITE PROGRESS: The Meg @ Andaman (Feb 2022)

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.

Penang has been ranked as the third-best island in the world to retire in once again this year.

In a list published by International Living, Penang was the only island in Asia listed and is noted for its friendly and helpful populace.

“The island of Penang, off the coast of Malaysia, has been a firm favourite among savvy expats for decades.

“Here, the lifestyle is First World—it’s possible to trade-up. A couple can live well on a monthly budget of between $1,500 and $2,500 a month.

“It’s a luxury life on an affordable budget with all the comforts and conveniences of home,” the publication wrote.

In the listing, Penang was also noted for its strategic location within Southeast Asia and “home to eclectic architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and the best street food in the world”.

It was listed as the third-best island after Malta and Mallorca, Spain.

The website is known to promote the idea of living better for less overseas, with works to research and provide information on destinations that are “cheap, safe, healthy and free”.

Penang state tourism and creative economy executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin said the state is glad to be ranked first in Asia and to be in the top three globally, sharing the limelight with 14 other amazing islands on the list.

“Penang is home to a galore of heavenly street food, juxtaposed against colonial buildings that ooze a historical charm.

“Our pristine nature, tropical climate and excellent connectivity are exactly why you should visit this Pearl of the Orient,” he said.

In April this year, Penang was also listed by another travel publication catering to senior travellers as the third best island in the world, and the first in Asia to retire in 2021.

Source: TheStar.com.my