Stakeholders in Penang, championing for a better public transportation system, and Penangites at large are still looking forward to the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) project to be materialised.

The RM9.5bil project has been dealt a blow after Putrajaya withdrew its RM2bil government guarantee for the state government to finance the project.

However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had been reported as saying that the state would proceed with the project, using other financing options.

Some notable figures and members of the public whom Buletin Mutiara interviewed today expressed their support for the state government to make the state’s first LRT project a reality for the betterment of people.

Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC) vice-president Datuk Finn Choong told Buletin Mutiara that many Penangites are eager to see the state’s LRT project get off the ground after years of planning.

He said this project, under the comprehensive Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), was one of the long-term plans to bring the state to a greater height.

“This initiative is to alleviate traffic gridlock, especially on the Penang island.

“The unresolved traffic congestion over the years is likely to see light at the end of the tunnel when the project is done.

“This can be a catalyst of growth for Penang in the future.

“Nevertheless, my view is that this initiative is critical for Penang if we want to be a real world city rather than merely just a name,” he said today.

Raine & Horne International Zaki + Partners Sdn Bhd senior partner Michael Geh said the property sector would receive a boost with the implementation of the LRT.

“The proposed Bayan Lepas – Komtar LRT line will stimulate the overall property market, especially to the stations nearby.

“It will tackle the traffic congestion during the peak hours in Bayan Baru and its vicinity. If the project materialises, it will also be a plus point for the property sector,” he said.

Muazim Shuhaimi, 24, said the project was important as one of the alternatives to overcome traffic congestions.

“Aside from tackling congestion, I believe that it helps to save cost and time.

“I hope the state can find a winnable solution with the Federal Government for the people’s benefit,” he said.

Benji Ang Ming Quan, who is self-employed, believes that the LRT is the key for the state to a complete transportation system.

“It is necessary to have this LRT line as Komtar, which serves as the state’s administration complex, houses various government agencies.

“I would like to propose that this Bayan Lepas – Komtar route includes the Sungai Nibong bus station as well.

“It’s important for the state and Federal Government to set aside their differences for the sake of the people’s welfare,” he added.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Penang will not give up on its proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) project despite Putrajaya withdrawing its guarantee, said Chow Kon Yeow.

The Penang chief minister said the state will continue with its LRT project as it generally has several other financing options to fund projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

“At the same time, the state government will continue to win the federal government’s confidence in prioritising the financing of the LRT project and give equal treatment to Penang as we have continued to play an important role by taking the lead in attracting foreign direct investments and creating thousands of job opportunities not only for the state but also for northern Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

Chow was responding to a recent announcement by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz that the federal government will not provide a government guarantee for a US$500 million (RM2 billion) loan application for Penang to partially finance the RM9.5 billion LRT project.

He expressed his disappointment in the finance minister for repeatedly stating the rejection of the state’s application for a loan guarantee to fund the LRT project that will link Komtar to Bayan Lepas despite the importance of the project for the state’s economic development.

“I wish to remind the Finance Ministry and Perikatan Nasional that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote to me, in a letter dated October 1, 2019, that the federal government will provide a guarantee for the bonds issued by the state for the project,” he said.

Chow said he presented the above arguments to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed during a discussion session on allocations under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) for Penang on November 26.

“I also stated the same to Tengku Zafrul during a dialogue session on the Budget 2021 Consultation for Penang organised by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority on August 8 and during RMK-12 engagement sessions with Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali on August 2 last year,” he said.

Source: MalayMail.com

Ambay Garden, the latest addition of residential component to Pearl City township by Tambun Indah in Simpang Ampat. Located along Jalana Tasek Mutiara 7, next to Pearl Saujana Permai and Ambay Park. It is only 5 minutes drive to GEMS International Schools, about 10 minutes to SMJK Jit Sin II.

This development comprises 128 units of 2-storey terrace houses with two different design types, and 50 units of 2-storey semi-detached house with an indicative price of RM568,000 onwards.

Property Project : Ambay Garden
Location : Pearl City, Simpang Ampat, Penang
Property Type : 2-storey terrace & semi-detached
Total Units: 128 (terrace), 50 (semi-detached)
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Tenure : Freehold
Developer : Tambun Indah
Indicative Price: RM568,000 onwards (semi-d), RM418,000 (terrace)

Location Map:

State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, said that as of 30 September, there were 3,866 applicants in the Southwest District waiting for the allocation of low-cost housing, but there were only 1,175 low-cost housing units (RM42,000) available waiting to be allocated.

He said that the above project is the Idaman Prestij low-cost flat (also known as K Park) in Balik Pulau, which will be completed in December this year and handed over to the Penang state government, of which 612 units will be offered under a rent-to-own scheme.

“The first round of the selection has already been done on October 5.” He said during the recent State Assembly.

Jagdeep said that with the latest changes in the affordable housing policy, the state government has also opened the above project for the applicants from the Northeast District.

He explained that in the past, the low-cost and low-medium-cost housing allocation was based on district, but now the allocation is by City Council, namely Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai City Council.

“As for the Penang Island City Council, it covers the Wortheast and Southwest District of Penang Island whereas Seberang Perai City Council will overs Northern, Central and Southern District of Seberang Perai.”

Proposed affordable housing development by Alamkhas Sdn. Bhd. at Balik Pulau.  Located on a 2.86 acres land adjacent to Taman Prestij 3 and K Park, just a stone’s throw away from P3 Residence by PLB Home. It is about 10 minutes drive to Balik Pulau Town Centre and at least 30 minutes to commute to work at Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.

This development comprises two 16-storey towers, offering a total of 192 affordable units in each tower. There will be only affordable Type A (low-cost) and Type B (low-medium cost), which will be priced from RM42,000 and RM72,500 respectively:

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Full list of affordable housing in Penang
• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Balik Pulau
Property Type : Low-cost & low-medium cost housing
Total Units : 192 (low-cost), 192 (low-medium-cost)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : RM42,000, RM72,500
Developer: Alamkhas Sdn. Bhd. (a subsidiary of Runnymede Group?)

Location Map:

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.