Penang South Islands winning design by BIG

The proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) is set to get going with the state expecting formal approval for the environment management plan (EMP) once the movement control order is over.

State Works Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Project Delivery Partner (PDP), SRS Consortium, had complied with all conditions needed for the EMP approval and the reclamation of Island A was expected to begin.

Island A is the largest of the three islands to be reclaimed. It is the one closest to the end of the runway of Penang International Airport in Permatang Damar Laut.

“The EMP approval is the subsequent process as the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project was approved on June 25,2019, ” Zairil said.

SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Leong said the EMP would have been approved earlier, if not for the MCO.

“We are certain that the approval will be obtained as the DOE (Environment Department) had visited the site and all requirements have been met. The project is ready to go once we get the formal approval, ” he said.

The EIA for the project expires in June and the state, through Deputy Chief Minister l Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, is finalising the compensation package with the fishermen after several discussions.

Both Zakiyuddin and Zairil told The Star that the project to reclaim Island A could begin once the EMP was approved as the fishermen would still be going to sea during the early phases of the reclamation.

Zakiyuddin had earlier said the proposed social impact management plan of the project included compassionate aid and housing schemes.

“The project can begin while negotiations are going on as the fishermen can still go to out sea as usual, ” he added.

Zairil said since the reclamation was for now only Island A, which is 930ha, the project cost was expected to be less than RM1bil which would be borne by the PDP.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, when contacted, said while there was no definite date for work to begin, he was confident that it would begin soon.

“We are wrapping up all work including the approval and the fishermen’s compensation.

“PSR has been identified as the funding model for Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) since day one although a federal guarantee would have made our financial planning more feasible, ” said Chow when asked whether PSR was the only model since there was no federal funding forthcoming.

The state is aggressively pushing through the reclamation project to fund its RM45bil PTMP components, which includes the Pan Island Link 1 and Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit.

The proposed project involves the reclamation and development of three man-made islands covering 1,820ha namely Island A (930ha), Island B (566ha) and Island C (324ha).

Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said in Parliament on July 23 last year that PSR would not be given the green light pending approval of the EMP, which was one of the main conditions out of the 72 conditions imposed under the EIA.

There were concerns the project would lead to permanent destruction resulting in residual effects to the environment which will affect mudflats, turtle landings, fish spawning and coral beds, he said.

Source: TheStar.com.my

Equatorial Hotel will be closing the operation in Penang effective 31 March 2021.

According to a letter addressed to all employees of Hotel Equatorial Penang and signed by the General Manager, the decision is a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic which had impacted the hotel’s businesses.

The official last day of the business is yet to be decided but will be before 31 March 2021. Staffs were assured they would receive severance payments, despite “huge losses” suffered by the hotel.

“Until we officially cease operation, all of you shall remain as employees of the Hotel and we remain committed to upkeep the strong heritage and name of Hotel Equatorial Penang”, the letter read.

Case Perdana, a residential development by JSC Land Development Sdn. Bhd. near 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

Project Name : Casa Perdana
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: RM389,000 onwards
Developer : JSC Land Development Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map:

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According to a report published by MalayMail, Putrajaya is set to announce a total economic shutdown after February 4, should the number of Covid-19 cases in the nation continue to not show any improvement.

UPDATE: Eurocham Malaysia denies govt mulling full lockdown after Feb 4, urges public to play their role in Covid-19 fight. Read the news at MalayMail.com

A letter issued to the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham Malaysia) members detailed a summary of Eurocham Malaysia chief executive Sven Schneider’s meeting with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), which mentioned that the Ministry of Health (MOH) “has made a clear stand on the matter of a complete shutdown of the economy”.

“Should the infection rate not decrease, the Malaysian government will announce a shutdown/strict lockdown immediately after February 4, 2021. This is the current situation we are facing and Miti is appealing to all companies, foreign and local, to join the effort of reducing infections, breaking the chain, to keep the economy open for business,” the letter further read.

The letter stated that Schneider was invited to attend the “very important and urgent meeting” at Miti, on the evening of January 22, and that the meeting was chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.

It also stated that the MOH believed it is the manufacturing sector, with 99 Covid-19 clusters, which is the main source of infection.

“Since in particular, dormitories and related activities (transportation, social activities) were identified as problems, while manufacturing sites itself usually demonstrate sufficient compliance, Miti brainstormed together with the present chambers of commerce a few potential measures.

“While we are awaiting more information from the Ministry and since time is of the essence, we share the preliminary outcomes here with you,” the letter read, listing several points.

Eurocham Malaysia requested companies to assign at least one human resource supervisor to manage and coordinate foreign workers or workers staying in dormitories, adding that the main goal for this is to minimise community movement, social activities and thereby compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the movement control order (MCO).

It said that this was because often, workers in dormitories were found not to practise SOP compliance and engage unnecessarily in extensive social activities in or outside the dormitories.

“Companies are requested to also take responsibility in cases where foreign workers’ management or housing have been outsourced to employment agencies. There have been cases where poor housing conditions or transportation compliance by the agent has led to rising infections. Companies sometimes are not aware, but the government encourages to strengthen communication and coordination with employment agencies and outsourcing partners for the benefit of all.

“Companies are requested to establish basic quarantine spaces at their dormitories to ensure that suspected cases, close contacts and confirmed Covid-19 cases can be isolated/quarantined immediately and reduce risk of further spread. Any immediate and short-term measures are welcomed to reduce infections,” the organisation said.

It added that workers staying at home with family, may also be offered to stay at company quarantine facilities, should they and close contacts be suspected or tested positive.

“In the context of transportation, companies have to ensure social distancing and thereby reduction to 50 per cent of capacity of each vehicle is suggested. This will also be reflected in official SOPs, since we discovered yesterday an inconsistency in the current SOPs,” it said, adding that companies will also have to check with their respective supply chain partners for SOP compliance.

“There was also a discussion regarding testing capacity and contact tracing. There may be updates on this matter during the next few days as well.

“We understand that this must seem as another major challenge and potentially costly changes may have to be made. Nonetheless, Eurocham encourages its members to do whatever you can to reduce infections, break the chain and keep the economy open,” it said.

The record for daily new cases of Covid-19 in Malaysia was broken once again, with 4,275 cases reported yesterday.

However, daily recoveries from the disease also reached a new high, with 4,313 people reported to have been given a clean bill of health.

Source: MalayMail.com

Retirement villages will be developed on land belonging to Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA), said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said PR1MA would come up with the model concept and collaborate with strategic partners to develop several retirement villages on its land.

She explained that PR1MA was currently drafting a policy focusing on the needs of, and addressing all the fundamental elements that are needed for senior citizens to live in a harmonious environment with adequate health facilities.

Zuraida said the establishment of retirement villages was a new business model adopted by PR1MA so as to provide a well-facilitated, well-equipped and sophisticated infrastructure for senior citizens.

“We have a few parties who are interested and they will come up with proposals. We will see what is their business model and concept, and work with them,“ she said when addressing the Malaysian Population Aging Forum held virtually today.

Zuraida said the proposed retirement villages, which are likely to be ready in 2023, would focus on landed and low-rise concept.

For now, she said a few strategic locations had been identified, namely in Penang and Malacca due to their suitable surroundings and peaceful environment.

“It is important to have retirement villages because when individuals grow older, they will be looking for a different concept of living as they want to be with their peer group to share ideas, knowledge and socialise.

“They have to come together in one community so that they can be productive. A healthy old age means giving them the opportunity to interact with their peer group and doing activities at their own pace.”

On the cost of staying in the retirement villages, Zuraida said it would be affordable, ranging between RM400 and RM600 per month depending on the facilities and cares they would need.

Zuraida said there are currently two million senior citizens aged 60 and above in Malaysia.

She pointed out that a long-term plan was needed to assist the ageing population so that the government could spend less in terms of healthcare, hospitalisation and medication.

Source: Bernama