The Penang government will ensure that only affordable housing units are built on the grounds of a demolished flats in Bandar Jelutong, George Town.

State housing, town, country and local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the Mutiara Ria low-cost flats, on which work had only reached two storeys, was demolished after it was found to be unsafe.

“Another building Mutiara Rini, which is beside Mutiara Ria, is being demolished and we expect it to be done by January 2021, ” said Jagdeep when contacted.

He said once Mutiara Rini is demolished, the state would meet the developer JKP Sdn Bhd to work out a solution on a new affordable housing project on the same site.

“They have agreed in principle to build affordable housing units and it will be discussed once the demolition work is completed on Mutiara Rini, ” he said.

A check showed only rubble and stones are left at the Mutiara Ria project site since demolition work started three months ago.

Meanwhile, demolition work is ongoing at the Mutiara Rini project. Construction of this flat with 382 Class C medium-cost units measuring 900sq ft each had reached only 15 storeys.

Both the buildings were first found unsafe in 2017 and JKP decided to demolish them.

The gross domestic value for both projects is RM120mil.

The projects were approved in May 2006 as continuation of the Kampung Pisang Awak Phase I project to resolve squatter issues.

The 22,509sq m land for the development belonged to the State Secretary Incorporated (SSI).

JKP Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said he is still awaiting a report on the matter and would only be able to give details at a later date.

Source: TheStar.com.my

A proposed new phase of residential development by JSC Land Development Sdn. Bhd. at Taman Perdana in Simpang Ampat. Located on a 6.2 arces land along Jalan Perdana, easily accessible from Butterworth – Ipoh federal road. It is just a stone’s throw away from Simpang Ampat Small Medium Industrial Park, about 10 minutes drive from Bukit Tambun Toll Plaza. Nearby amenities within 3km radius include GEMS International Schools, Pearl City Mall, banks, market, eateries, and a few other public schools.

This development will feature a mix of 2-storey terrace and semi-detached houses with three design types to choose from:

• 2-storey terrace (Type A) – 30 units
• 2-storey terrace (Type B) – 45 units
• 2-storey semi-detached – 20 units

The project is still pending for approval. It is not known whether this will be opened for sale. More details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Simpang Ampat
Property Type : Terrace and semi-detached
Tenure : Freehold
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 75 (terrace), 20 (semi-detached)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : JSC Land Development Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map:

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow officially launched the Penang Bay International Ideas Competition at Wisma Yeap Chor Ee in George Town today with the hope that the ideas put forth could be tapped by potential developers to transform Penang Bay.

He said the Penang state government, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) and Think City are not going to be the mega developers of Penang Bay but they are partners who work together as initiators, integrators and facilitators of development of the Penang Bay.

“This is an idea competition, just an opportunity for Penangites and participants to understand and to appreciate the focus of the state government, Think City and George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC) as to the future vision of Penang Bay.

“The ideas can be used to harness the potential of the waterfronts that we have, integrate George Town and Butterworth connectivity, encourage conservation and heritage, and also put new use into this area,” Chow told a press conference at Wisma Yeap Chor Ee today.

Chow said the top three winners and five consolation winners of the competition would be announced in January next year.

The ideas competition is an invitation to propose ideas, designs and concepts for the three component areas, namely George Town Waterfront, Penang Strait and Butterworth Waterfront.

Citing the Jelutong dumpsite as an example, Chow said the winners of the competition might have certain ideas on how the landfill, after undergoing rehabilitation, could add value to the Penang Bay area.

Their ideas, he said, could hopefully be used by the future developers of the Penang Bay project to complement their own plans.

He added that participants are also required to incorporate sustainable development goals and Penang2030 vision for a holistic plan to develop Penang Bay.

He said Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed had been sharing with him for quite some years on George Town and Butterworth as an important growth conurbation.

Chow congratulated CMI, GTCDC, Think City, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and other relevant agencies for working together although the plan was disrupted for a while by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Participants will have until Oct 19 to prepare submissions. The cash award for the top three winners are US$20,000, US$8,000 and US$4,000 while the five consolation winners will each get US$1,000.

State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who led a delegation to the World Urban Forum 10 in Abu Dhabi to pitch the Penang Bay project to potential investors, said they had received a number of queries.

He said the discussion to reinvigorate Penang’s shorefronts was held about two years ago.

“Penang is blessed with waterways but we were not maximising its potential,” Jagdeep said in his speech.

“When we were discussing, we said we must find spaces to cater to industries because there is definitely a massive demand for that. We’re the leading industrial state manufacturing hub in Malaysia. Penang is land scare and we must capitalise on what we have.

“We’re not looking at flat industrial areas now. We’re looking at vertical industrial buildings. That is what is happening around the world.

“This project will span some 30km of waterfronts, both here on the island and mainland. On the island, the land area that would probably be part and parcel of this project is 1,800 acres and on the mainland it is 4,500 acres.

“We’re talking about 6,300 acres. That is probably the biggest project for Penang thus far. And this project will kick off very quickly. After the ideas design competition, it can be executed immediately because it is not a project that awaits reclamation.

“Of course, things will be done in phases. It will be done very quickly and very surely.”

Hamdan said the ideas competition was to tap into the world’s best innovative minds to reimagine George Town and Butterworth waterfronts as a new economic zone.

He added that a panel of distinguished and local international judges would select the winners.

“We believe we have the right ingredients that will help us to take advantage of a changing world and position Penang for the future,” said Hamdan.

“The competition is open to all innovators and thinkers from all over the world, whether individuals, teams or firms, and must address the challenges of climate change, technological disruption and social transformation.

“We’ve also adopted the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a foundation of their solutions. The competition will enable us to understand and resolve Penang’s challenges while taking hold of the opportunities to prosper.”

Also present at the press conference were state Domestic and International Trade Entrepreneur Development and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, Penang Development Corporation general director Datuk Mohd Bazid Abd Kahar, CMI deputy general manager S. Bharathi, PLANMalaysia (Penang branch) deputy director Mohd Bashir Sulaiman and Think City urban solutions programme director Dr Matt Benson.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Developers and consulting engineers found not complying with the requirements of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) may be given compound notices of up to RM250,000 from Sept 1.

Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the stiffer punishment followed the gazetting of amendments to the Street, Drainage and Building (Compounding of Offences) By-Laws 1980 on July 2.

“With this gazetting, the offences of not complying with the requirements of the notice issued by the local authority (PBT) under Section 121 can be compounded not less than RM1,500 and not exceeding RM5,000 for each offence.

“Offences of carrying out earthworks without the written permission of the local authority or not following the earthworks plan approved under Section 70A can be compounded between RM7,500 and RM25,000 for each offence.

“Those convicted of an offence under Section 71 for failing to supervise the site resulting in the collapse of a slope or retaining wall will be compounded not less than RM75,000 and not more than RM250,000 for each offence,” he said at a press conference here today.

Zairil said amendments to the by-laws were made as the non-compliance rate was still high at about 78% although the frequency of operations against developers had been increased every year.

“Of the 77 operations carried out in 2019, non-compliance has been identified 60 times compared to the previous year where only 18 non-compliance cases were recorded out of 18 operations carried out.

“Penalties that were too light were among the reasons for the high non-compliance rate.

“The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) does not have a provision to compound such offences, while the Seberang Perai City Council can impose compounds of only RM250. Therefore, it is not surprising that developers and consulting engineers are not bothered about ESCP compliance,” he said.

Zairil also said the gazetting of the by-laws proved the state government’s commitment to enforcing strict compliance with earthwork guidelines in all development projects.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday.com

The National House Buyers Association (HBA) reminded landlords to be wary of the activities that will be carried out in their premises before renting out their units, reported The Star.

HBA honorary secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong stressed that landlords should protect themselves by requesting tenants to sign a written tenancy agreement and asking them to state down the nature of their businesses.

Landlords shouldn’t just collect rentals and turn a blind eye to the businesses carried out in their properties, as any kind of illegal activities like gambling or drug operation could bring serious consequences to the premise owners.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) lead activist Datuk Nadzim suggested new laws to be enacted for the police to charge property owners if their premises were rented out for illegal activities.

Source: EdgeProp.my