Penang State Government will establish a new guideline, Transit Oriented Development or better known as TOD in its efforts to complement and encourage housing development near Light Rapid Transit (LRT) service areas and public bus stations.

State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that in line with that goal, he asked Plan Malaysia and the two local councils to draft and provide TOD guidelines for Penang.

“I have directed the Penang City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to immediately prepare this draft taking into account aspects and jurisdictions of other countries that have practiced it.

“I expect both local authorities to prepare the first draft as early as the first quarter of next year (2020), so developers have time to plan for their housing project in the affected area,” he told a recent media conference here.

Also present was the Chief Minister, Y.A.B. Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Pengkalan Kota State Assemblyman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and Jelutong Member of Parliament, R.S.N. Rayer.

Based on the LRT development project along the Komtar line to Bayan Lepas, there are 27 main stations of Phase 1 involving the construction of 20 stations from Komtar to Island A (Penang South Reclamation project, PSR) and Phase 2 (seven stations linking islands A, B and C).

Commenting on the new guidelines to be introduced, Jagdeep said that the State Government would give priority and incentives to developers developing housing schemes using the TOD method along those lines.

“As we all know, a total of 102,335 units of low-cost (LC), low-medium cost (LMC) and affordable (RMM) houses have been achieved so far involving various stages of preparation.

“To achieve Penang 2030 Vision, I have set a new target of 180,000 LC, LMC, RMM, with the remaining 78,000 units needed to be built by 2030.

“The development of the 78,000 units will follow this guideline based method (TOD) … we will also make major adjustments to the amount of parking allowed later in encouraging the public to use public transport while reducing vehicles and carbon footprints, thus making Penang more green, safe and sustainable, ”said Datuk Keramat assemblyman.

In addition, Jagdeep also expects public bus users by 2030 will increase to 30 percent on the island and 40 percent (Seberang).

“Based on the current ratio, the use of public buses is only four percent on the island and eight percent (Seberang).

“As such, we will try to identify more strategic locations for developing bus stations,” he said, adding that there are 1,711 bus stations throughout Penang with 404 rapid bus services on 71 routes.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

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This project is part of the Sunrise Manners Tripark development scheme next to Taman Seri Sejahtera, just a stone’s throw away from Hillpark Residences. It is only less than 5 minutes drive to AEON Mall and Tesco hypermarket. This development comprising 3 residential towers with full condominium facilities

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i-Jewel, a proposed freehold mixed development by GVC Property Sdn. Bhd. (Ideal Property Group) at Sungai Ara. Strategically located along Persiaran Bayan, adjacent to SK Sungai Ara and SJKC Chong Cheng. It is about 1km to Setia SPICE Arena, under 5 minutes’ drive to Penang International Airport.

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Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Sungai Ara
Property Type : Mixed development
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 389 (condominium), 23 (shop office)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : GVC Property Sdn. Bhd. (Ideal Property Group)
Last Update: March 2021

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The Penang government will have to study very carefully to come out with a win-win situation regarding the land lease premium rates for industrial land.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said currently the state Land and Mines Department is gathering all state agencies to discuss land development in the state.

“We want to look into the issue. They have completed their first round of discussion and will be reporting back to the exco.

“Of course, one of the issues is that since we started the industrialisation about 50 years ago, the land lease for industrial plot is usually 60 years and the 60 years are going to expire in the next five, 10 or 15 years.

“So for some of the investors, they are quite concerned about the amount of premium rates that the state would charge for a new lease of 60 years.

“But don’t worry. The state government ensures a clean and straightforward process to extend land lease,” Chow told reporters after officiating the Seminar & Book Launch – ‘From Free Port to Modern Economy: Economic Development and Social Change in Penang, 1969 to 1990’ at Penang Institute in George Town today.

Chow said the state government relies solely on the valuation by the state Land and Mines Department. It is the government valuation agency that decides the value of the land and recommends the premium rates to be charged.

“So, it is a very transparent process.

“The renewal rates should be calculated based on the current market value at the time of application and not based on the original price of the land.

“We cannot compare today’s land prices with the original prices of the land. It was cheaper then because some of the land were used to be coconut plantations, but today all of these land are matured industrial zones.

“So the department will consider all of these factors,” he added.

He also said that land revenue was the state’s biggest source of revenue and would require a very detailed discussion and consideration before making any decision.

“From the land revenue we get, the state can have a sufficient source to look after the people’s welfare and to spur the development in the state,” Chow said.

Speaking about the programme, Chow said the state government was committed to ensure the legacy left by the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu would be continued towards the path of industrialisation and modernisation.

He said the industrialisation and modernisation in Penang would never end because there was still so much work to do.

“The thing about this so-called ‘modern economy’ is that it is never modern enough.

“There is always more catching up to do, and once you slow down, you get left behind.

“So, today my administration has to continue the work and to continue responding to the challenges of the day,” he said.

According to Chow, the state government is always grateful and values the noble contributions by the Penang second chief minister to make the state what it is today.

“I am glad to be reminded of how much innovation and strategic boldness were needed for Penang to emerge from the bad times of the late 1960s to become the Silicon Valley of the East.

“We should all pause a minute to imagine the enormous task that Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and his team took upon themselves.

“Much depended upon them to succeed at the time. If they have not succeeded, the brain drain from Penang would have been many times worse.

“But they succeeded and with that success, Penang’s connection to the global economy and to global possibilities, are kept alive. We are where we are today because of them,” he added.

Also present were Penang Development Corporation (PDC) general manager Datuk Mohd Bazid Abd Kahar, Penang Institute executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng and PDC first general manager Datuk Seri Chet Singh.

Source: Buletin Mutiara