Source: Google Street View

The long-awaited redevelopment of the Bukit Mertajam town market has moved forward with piling work for a multi-storey car park along Jalan Pegawai scheduled to begin today.

Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillor Bernard Cheen Goon Hooi said the car park, located next to the existing market, will serve as a temporary trading space for over 300 traders during the construction of the new market. Traders are expected to relocate by July next year, with the full project targeted for completion by July 2027.

Originally planned as a two-storey market, the design was revised to a single-storey structure following feedback from traders, who feared reduced customer traffic on the upper floor. “We listened to the traders’ concerns and made adjustments to ensure the new market benefits everyone,” Cheen explained.

The existing market, built in 1967, has long struggled with ageing infrastructure. Calls for redevelopment intensified after a fire in 2014 damaged the section known as the “Pasar Rooftop.” In 2023, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming confirmed RM24 million in funding to modernise the facility.

The redevelopment plan includes a permanent new market, a temporary trading area, the multi-storey car park, upgraded public facilities, and a community centre within the market grounds.

To ensure the best design, MBSP and the Northern Chapter of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) launched a nationwide competition, which attracted 75 entries.

Once completed, the project is expected to revitalise Bukit Mertajam’s historic trading hub, offering traders and visitors a safer, more modern, and community-friendly environment.

About Ari Altitude

An affordable condominium project by PTL Alpha Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of PTL Properties Sdn. Bhd., located in the well-established township of Alma, Bukit Mertajam. Situated along Jalan Santuari 3, less than 5 minutes drive from Lotus’s and AEON Mall via Jalan Rozhan and approximately 15 minutes from both Penang’s first and second bridges. It features 500 residential units, each with a built-up size of 950 sq. ft.

Find out more about Ari Altitude

A proposed mixed development in Air Itam on a 6.33-acre site near the intersection of Jalan Batu Lancang and Lebuhraya Thean Teik, close to All Seasons Place. The location is less than a 5-minute drive to Sunshine Central Mall and lies within a 2km radius of several schools, including Chung Ling Private High School, SMJK Chung Ling, SMK Georgetown, and SK Batu Lanchang.

The proect will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 consists of a 38-storey affordable housing with two residential towers, providing a total of 982 units. This will include eight levels of car parking podium, community facilities, a rooftop garden, and a single-storey hawker centre. Phase 2 include a 4-storey commercial block with 44 retail units.

The project is still in its planning stage and more details will be available upon official launch.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

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

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Air Itam
Property Type : Mixed development
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: 6.33 acres
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 982 (affordable), 44 (retail)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

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.

Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) is ramping up its development momentum with RM2.2 billion worth of property launches scheduled for the remainder of 2025, while also pitching its flagship Andaman Island in Penang as the potential site for the proposed RM10 billion Penang International Financial Centre (PIFC).

Managing director Kok Tuck Cheong said the launches will include Elmina retail shops, landed homes, Senna and Fera, and Andaman Island’s Plot 16E. He expects a heavier launch schedule in the second half of FY26, with Malaysians continuing to anchor demand for Andaman projects, complemented by increasing interest from Chinese buyers in the Klang Valley.

E&O is targeting sales of at least RM1.2 billion in FY26, backed by RM1.34 billion in unbilled sales as of the first quarter. For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, the developer posted a 21.1% year-on-year jump in net profit to RM45.4 million, driven by stronger contributions from property development and investment, while revenue rose 10.8% to RM183.5 million.

Key ongoing projects on Andaman Island include The Meg, Arica, The Lume and Maris, all slated for completion between 2026 and 2028, alongside landed phases of Senna and Fera. Outside Penang, E&O is developing The Peak in Damansara Heights with Mitsui Fudosan, due for completion in late 2025. The group also recently secured GreenRE Platinum provisional certification for its latest phases in Senna and Fera, underscoring its sustainability agenda.

Meanwhile, E&O has formally submitted its proposal to site the RM10 billion Penang International Financial Centre on Andaman Island. Competing locations include Gurney Bay, Jelutong, Pulau Jerejak, Penang South Island, North Butterworth and Batu Kawan.

Kok is confident Andaman’s contiguous land layout, integrated amenities and infrastructure capacity will give it an edge. “If awarded, it will give the island international recognition,” he said, noting that the project could attract foreign investors, venture capital, and private equity funds, while reinforcing Penang’s role in the semiconductor and technology sectors under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and National Semiconductor Strategy.

The project award could be announced this year, pending discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Securities Commission. If successful, the financial hub is expected to generate strong multiplier effects for Penang’s economy and elevate Andaman Island into a global investment destination.

Ideal Property Group announced the grand prize winner of its signature annual photo contest, My Ideal Homes Photo Contest 8.0, at a prize-giving ceremony held at 1st Avenue Penang last Saturday.

Two Grand Prize winners were named under the categories Architecture Charm and Drone Shot. Lee Siau Hui and Liew Kah Chun each took home a cash prize of RM3,000!

The winning entry in the Architecture Charm category, captured by Lee Siau Hui, portrayed “serenity and tranquillity” amidst the lush natural surroundings of Ideal Residency in Island Glades. The cottage-themed development features 850 sqft units with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private balcony. The private balcony, rare in affordable housing, adds a touch of comfort and exclusivity.

Meanwhile, Liew Kah Chun’s Drone Shot entry, titled “Waterfront Majesty, Queens Residences After Dark”, highlighted the elegance of Queens Waterfront and its luxury seafront living. The development is renowned for its stunning sea views and prime waterfront location. Its first phase, Queens Residences Q1, recently gained international acclaim, winning World Gold at the 2024 FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards.

In line with Ideal Property Group’s commitment to sustainability and quality living, the contest invited photographers to capture the architectural designs and landscaped podiums of its developments, while providing them the opportunity to showcase their creativity and win attractive prizes.

Photographs were submitted across three categories – Architecture Charm, Drone Shot and Mobile Photography. All submitted photographs featuring landscapes or architectural elements within Ideal Property Group developments. 24 winners were selected based on uniqueness, originality and creativity to the contest theme.

The 1st Prize and 2nd Prize winners each received RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively, while Commendation Prize winners received RM500. Winners of the Mobile Photography category each received a RM300 Village Grocer cash voucher.

The winning photographs are now on display at 1st Avenue Penang, Level 8 (in front of TGV), with the exhibition running until the end of the year. Public may also view the winning photographs on Ideal Property Group’s Facebook page and Instagram.

Ideal Property Group currently has eight ongoing projects, encompassing high-rise residences, luxury seafront developments, office towers, and industrial parks, reflecting the Group’s continued growth and diversification strategy.