A newly proposed affordable housing development by KH Venture Estate Sdn. Bhd. in the heart of Bukit Mertajam. Located on a 1.29-acre land along Lebuh Aston, immediately opposite Aston Park East gated and guarded housing scheme. It is just a stone’s away from Jit Sin Independent High School, surrounded by an abundance of essential amenities.

This development comprises a 19-storey residential tower, featuring 237 affordable units and 4 levels of car parking podium. Residence facilities will be located at level 4.

The project is still pending approval. More details will be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Bukit Mertajam
Property Type : Affordable housing
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 237
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : KH Venture Estate 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.

Southeast Asia’s only Tropical Spice Garden (TSG) in Penang, is reaching out to Malaysians to ask for their support to help it stay open for generations to come. The eco-attraction launched its crowdfunding campaign “Join the Family, Save the Garden” to raise the vital funds it needs to remain operational and to re-open when restrictions are lifted. The campaign which was launched on the 1st of August aims to raise the funds needed through subscription to its community-powered garden membership program, Spice Fam. Donations from the public are also accepted.

Katharine Chua, Owner and Managing Director of TSG, said “Because of COVID, our doors have been open and shut for the last 16 months and our existence is hanging by a thread. Although we’ve always prided ourselves on running a sustainable business, one that is environmentally conscious and places people at its heart, nothing could have prepared us for this challenge. So, we urgently need the community’s support to help keep this garden open for future generations to come.”

TSG is hoping to raise funds to stay operational and re-open once travel restrictions are lifted. Malaysians who want to support the gardens can either purchase a Spice Fam membership or make a donation on the campaign site. For as low as RM25/month, the subscription will allow members unlimited entry to the Garden, join monthly activities, events, virtual classes and workshops (currently ongoing) from anywhere in the world. Members are also entitled to exclusive garden camping passes.

“Your Spice Fam subscription is more than just money, it’s the garden’s lifeline to stay open. In return, I hope that we’ll be able to bring you and your loved ones closer together in nature. We’re just getting started, as there is so much in store for everyone in the years to come.” said Katharine.

Katharine added, “We want to be able to continue to share this unique and special place which does so much for bringing the community together, nurturing a love for nature and educating young and old alike. And in this new normal, now more than ever – we need green, healing spaces. Every cent raised will go into maintaining the Garden and growing the Spice Fam community. We invite you to join us on this adventure.”

Timeless and enchanting, Tropical Spice Garden is a bio-diverse living museum of the spices and other tropical plants that have shaped our global history. The five landscaped acres of the garden is a treasure trove of more than 500 living specimens of lush and exotic flora from around the world. The spices and plants you find at the Gardens have their roots deep in Penang and Malaysia’s history and culture. It’s a bio-diverse living museum of the spices and other tropical plants that have shaped our global history.

For more information on TSGs “Join the Family, Save the Garden” campaign, click here, or alternatively support its online shop.

The urban regeneration programme at ‘5 Point Blocks’ flats in Lorong Mahsuri 10, Bayan Baru is expected to begin early next year, says state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Jagdeep said phase one of the project involves building a total of 345 units of low medium-cost units (700sq ft) and 805 Type ‘C’ affordable housing units (800sq ft).

“The size of the original units is between 300 and 400sq feet, but now through this programme we would be providing bigger units ranging from 700 to 850sq feet.

“This housing scheme was built by the Penang Development Corporation nearly 30 years ago. Our main purpose is to provide a conducive living environment for the residents in terms of safety as well as the facilities.

“Apart from the residents, this project will also cater to other applicants of low-medium cost and affordable housing homes since more units are to be built,’’ said Jagdeep during his site visit to the project area this morning.

Jagdeep added that the other old housing schemes identified for the urban regeneration programme are the Rifle Range Flats, Taman Free School Flats, Mak Mandin Flats and Taman Siakap Flats.

He said all five projects would involve a total of 10,065 units.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Lam Manufacturing Malaysia is investing a total of US$225 million to put up a new manufacturing facility at Batu Kawan Industrial Park. (Photo by Lam Manufacturing Malaysia)

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today congratulated Lam Research Corporation on the official opening of its latest and largest manufacturing facility in Batu Kawan, the first wafer fabrication equipment maker to have set up their business with a manufacturing plant in Malaysia.

The corporation has invested RM1 billion in its new facility located on a 34-acre site, increasing its original plan of utilising 700,000sq ft to 800,000sq ft for its office, manufacturing facilities and warehouse.

On top of that, the manufacturing plant, known as Lam Research International Sdn Bhd, has already exceeded hiring 350 employees as planned for three years since it began operations in May this year and would be hiring 600 in all by the end of the year, according to its general manager Soon Kuek.

Chow said although the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly thrown many plans into disarray, the state machinery has worked closely with each other and with coordinated partnership with the Federal Government, the state has ensured minimum disruptions to the business community.

“The opening of Lam Research’s largest manufacturing facility within the stipulated plan is a testament to our ongoing efforts in supporting all our investors.

“We are confident that Penang’s versatile talent pool, supportive infrastructure and strong local industry clusters will enable industry players to effectively manage their supply chain and improve time-to-market at a competitive cost. All of which would further value add towards Lam Research’s operations here in Penang.

“The presence of Lam Research as the first global leader in the manufacturing of wafer fabrication equipment in Malaysia, will bring about greater opportunities for the local workforce to learn new technical skillsets and industry players would benefit from the supply chain localisation opportunities.

“These, in turn, will help Penang to further integrate into the global semiconductor value chain,” Chow said in his speech during the virtual opening ceremony.

Among those taking part in the online ceremony were US ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters, Chief Minister of Penang’s special investment adviser Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) deputy CEO Ahmad Khairudin Abd Rahim.

Present at the ceremony in the Batu Kawan plant itself were Lam Research Corporation president and CEO Tim Archer, corporate vice-president of manufacturing Mike Snell and general manager Soon Kuek.

Chow went on to say 42% of Penang’s approved manufacturing FDI from 2019 to 2020 was contributed by the US companies and Lam Research is certainly one of the strategic projects that Penang is proud of.

“Lam Research’s significant investment in Batu Kawan reinforces Penang’s position as a preferred location for advanced manufacturing and upholding our accolade as “Silicon Valley of the East”.

“On the trade front, Penang continues to play a substantial role in driving the country’s exports. Penang recorded an export of RM310 billion in 2020, representing 32% of Malaysia’s total.

“Importantly, 60% of Penang’s exports were E&E products. Our performance continued to gain momentum with exports increased by 23% year-on-year to RM138 billion in Jan-May 2021,” Chow said.

Archer, in his speech, said his corporation chose Penang and Malaysia for manufacturing expansion because of their thriving semiconductor ecosystem and access to a talented workforce with experience in high-tech fields.

He said global demand for semiconductor and semiconductor manufacturing equipment was robust, contributing in a big part to a revenue increase of 45% compared to last year.

He said today marked the first anniversary of their establishment in Malaysia, starting with eight employees and now having a workforce of 450.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Elvina @ Balik Pulau, a small landed residential development by JKP Sdn. Bhd. at Balik Pulau. Located on 1.9 acres are land along Jalan Sungai Nipah 2, adjacent to Balik Pulau Vocational College. It is about 3km from Balik Pulau Town Centre, within 30 minutes drive to Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. Other surrounding amenities include public schools, Mara College, sports center, wet market and eateries.

This development will feature 24 units of 2-storey terrace and 2 units of 2-storey semi-detached houses.

Project Name : Elvina @ Balik Pulau
Location : Balik Pulau
Property Type : Terrace and semi-detached
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 24 (terrace), 2 (semi-detached)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : JKP 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.