Air Itam – Tun Dr LCE Expressway bypass

The proposed projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) are on track, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said yesterday.

“I have committed to the people of Penang that whenever there is a new milestone achieved, I will meet the press to make the announcement.

“The people have been informed about the signing of the project delivery partner (PDP) master agreement for the PTMP with SRS Consortium on July 1.

“The SRS Consortium will be proposing the financial architecture plan for the PTMP to the Penang government soon.

“The financial architecture plan will enable us to choose the most viable financial structure for us to implement the projects.

“The Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project is the financing model for the Bayan Lepas LRT (BL LRT) project and the Pan Island Link (PIL) projects,” Chow explained during the ‘Penang in 10 years time’ talk show, hosted by Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh last night (Aug 3).

It was reported that the three main components of the PTMP are the BL LRT, the Pan Island Link (PIL1 and PIL2A) highways and the PSR. It was also reported that the estimated cost of the PTMP projects was RM46 billion.

Chow said that the state would ensure that the projects under the PTMP are carried out the best way possible.

“The projects under the PTMP involved several billions of ringgit. If they are not financed by the Federal Government, the state would not be able to find such financial capability to implement the projects.

“We have decided on implementing the PSR to ensure that we are able to carry out projects for the benefit of the people although we are not part of the Federal Government.

“The sale of the land from the reclamation will be used to finance the infrastructure projects,” he said.

He also spoke about the three major roads and the Penang Undersea Tunnel project.

“Works on one of the three major road projects (Package Two), which is the 5.7km Bandar Baru Air Itam – Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass, have started,” he said.

The RM6.3 billion project will comprise of the Bandar Baru Air Itam – Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass, the Tanjung Bungah – Teluk Bahang bypass, the Gurney Drive – Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass and the Gurney Drive – Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel.

Chow said that the state was awaiting the feasibility study of the undersea tunnel to be completed before making a decision whether to carry on with the project or otherwise.

He said that in order to continue to grow the state’s economy, the industry needs to be supported by better infrastructure.

“We need infrastructure to uplift the economy and all these infrastructure are in line with the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.

“We have incorporated the projects in our vision. We need to invest in the built environment to improve resilience, as stated in one of the four themes of the Penang2030 vision.”

Chow said: “The development projects have attracted a lot of attention from the non-governmental organisations (NGOs). However, there are also those who feel that the sooner these projects are implemented, the better it is for the state to resolve its traffic congestion problems.”

He added that Penang was known for its (traffic) congestion issues among the visitors, besides its reputation as a food paradise.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is temporarily frozen to enable the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to comprehensively restudy and reevaluate it.

According to a statement from the ministry today, the move is also in line with the government’s decision of still not allowing the entry of foreign nationals into this country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Among the matters to be studied are the conditions, incentives and comparisons with MM2H-like programmes in other countries such as the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or Residence by Investment (RBI).

“During the MM2H freeze period, MOTAC as coordinator of the programme is unable to process new applications forwarded to it. This takes into consideration that processing of the MM2H applications involves various ministries and agencies which are also impacted by the temporary freeze.

“However, if there are foreigners still interested to participate in the programme, they can submit their applications after the programme is reactivated but they need to meet the prevailing set conditions,”  it said in the statement.

Foreign nationals could also refer to the Department of Immigration Malaysia for information on obtaining a suitable immigration pass to reside in Malaysia over a long period.

“MOTAC assures that the results of the study which will synergise with current needs will benefit all the stakeholders,” it said.

The ministry hopes that all parties would support the government’s desire to improve the MM2H programme for it to be at par with that of other countries.

Source: EdgeProp.my

Aster Villa, the latest addition to Peral City township development by Tambun Indah Land at Simpang Ampat. Located along Jalan Tasek Mutiara 9, at the southeast of Pearl City township. it is about 2km to Pearl City Mall and GEMS International School, less than 15 minutes drive to Simpang Ampat toll plaza of North-South Expressway. Other amenities within 5 km include SMJK Jit Sin II and SMK Bandar Tasek Mutiara, several other shops and facilities.

This development will feature a gated and guarded housing scheme, comprises 128 and 90 units of 2-storey terrace and semi-detached houses respectively. The terrace houses offer two different design types, with a minimum land size of 1,240 sq.ft. There will be a resident clubhouse with a swimming pool.

Property Project : Ambay Park
Location : Pearl City, Simpang Ampat, Penang
Property Type : 2-storey terrace & semi-detached
Total Units: 153
Land Area: 1,240 sq.ft. onwards
Built-up Area: 20′ x 42′ (terrace) , 22′ x 43′ (semi-detached)
Tenure : Freehold
Developer : Tambun Indah
Indicative Price: RM678,000 onwards

Location Map:

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in people’s lives throughout the world. In Malaysia, the response to COVID-19 was swift. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced a loan moratorium of 6 months from 1st April to 30th September 2020. This gave everyone and all businesses with borrowings a breathing space.

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For the second year running now, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has tightened its partnership with IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed today.

The collaboration would see both parties work closely to further enhance smart city initiatives to improve the delivery of public services in the state.

The MoU today was signed between MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and IBM managing director Catherine Lian and it was witnessed by state Housing, Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jagdeep said the only thing that keeps everyone connected during this Covid-19 pandemic is technology.

Hence, he said it is important the public continues to embrace technology and never let their guard down as the fight against this unprecedented situation is far from over.

“Penang is always leading the way, not only in the country but also in this region when it comes to smart government and smart city.

“I was made to understand that IBM has comprehensive approach to helping cities to run more efficiently, save money and resources, and at the same time to improve the quality of life for the people,” Jagdeep said during a press conference in Komtar today.

Under the new MoU, IBM will continue to offer its technology, services and expertise for the development and deployment of cloud infrastructure to support MBPP’s ongoing smart city initiatives.

The terms also include planning, developing and deploying artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that can help improve MBPP’s operational efficiencies and innovations to provide better quality of services for the public.

According to Yew, MBPP is confident that the fruitful collaboration with IBM would continue to accelerate steady economic growth in the state and improve the living standard of all Penangites.

Catherine said with the direct impact of Covid-19 pandemic halting the essential public services, the race for digital acceleration for socioeconomic resiliency is more imperative than before.

“The continuous collaboration with MBPP exemplifies IBM’s commitment to supporting local governments in Malaysia to accelerate the nation’s digital transformation agenda and seize opportunities to sustainable prosperity for the rakyat,” she said.

Also in attendance were MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali and IBM Malaysia director of the government and regulatory affairs Hasnul Nadzrin Shah Abdul Halim.

Source: Buletin Mutiara