The Penang government is looking forward to positive news from the Federal Government concerning the implementation of urban regeneration projects in the state.

State Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said they are waiting for Putrajaya to guide them forward in their efforts towards regenerating old housing schemes.

“They have either to amend existing laws or enact new laws. One of the main issues that we faced is the legality of the matter as strata properties, like apartments and flats, contain many units,” Jagdeep told a press conference.

He was responding to an article, titled ‘Flet ibarat sarang burung’ in a Malay daily yesterday that Rifle Range Flats needed to be rejuvenated as it was very aged and dated.

“We fully agree with the article. In fact, Penang led by establishing the first-ever Urban Regeneration Committee in the country in 2015 which was emulated by the Federal Government in 2017.

“The issue is whether the consent of everyone is unanimously required or otherwise. Other jurisdictions, we don’t need unanimous consent. We need a majority consent. In Singapore, it is up to some 75 to 80 percent if I am not mistaken. In fact, in Singapore there is a ministry for renewal, it’s called the Urban Renewal Authority. It’s that big.

“So, our rules have to be clarified. If necessary, laws have to be amended or new laws have to be made specifically for urban regeneration schemes.”

Jagdeep said the state has plans to regenerate five old housing schemes – the 5-point block Mahsuri Flats in Bayan Baru, the Rifle Range Flats and the Taman Free School Flats on the island and the Mak Mandin Flats and the Jalan Siakap Flats on Seberang Perai.

The five projects involve a total of 5,469 units. According to Jagdeep, the state government has received a very good response from Mahsuri residents from 300 units, with a very high percentage of them agreeing to the regeneration project.

“We are now at the advanced stage of planning for the Mahsuri Flats regeneration. We now await the Federal Government to revert to us on the legal position in relation to such regeneration schemes,” Jagdeep added.

He also said a series of forums were conducted by the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) throughout the country, with the last one ending in Penang in February this year. It was co-organised with the state Land Office.

“The next step is that they will bring it to the National Land Council which will decide to amend laws or create new ones,” said Jagdeep.

Also present at the press conference were Penang Land Office (Strata Division) senior assistant secretary Mohd Nizam Mokhtar and other officials from the state Housing Department.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

A newly proposed luxury development by Southern Twin Management Sdn. Bhd., strategically located along Jalan Macalister in George Town. It is immediately opposite Scott Residence, just a stone’s throw away from Residence 21 Super Condominium.

This development will see the refurbishment of the existing heritage building and demolish the existing 4-storey budget hotel extension, for the construction of a 37-storey residential building with 4 units of shop offices. The new skyscraper will feature 285 units of serviced residence with 9-level multi-storey carpark.

The project is still pending for approval. Details to be available upon project launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : George Town, Penang
Property Type : Mixed development
Total Units: 285
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer: Southern Twin Management Sdn. Bhd.
Last Update: Aug 2020

Location Map:

The Millennium, a mixed-development by Ivory Properties Group at the urban township Batu Uban. It is strategically located next to The View Twin Towers, just a mere minutes drive to Penang Bridge.

This development sprawls over 5.9 acres of prime land with towers for commercial and residential, featuring retail outlets, condominium units, service suites and hotel. It has an estimated GDV of RM950 million.

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

Project Name : The Millennium
Location : Batu Uban, Penang
Property Type : Mixed development
Total Units: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer: Ivory Properties Group

Location Map:

Taman Seri Sepadu, a mixed development by Exopuri Group at Tasek Gelugor. Located along Jalan Permatang Manggis, just a mere minutes drive to Penang-Kedah border via Jalan Tasek Gelugor. It is about 10 minutes walking distance to Tasek Gelugor KTM Station and SK Pengkalan Jaya.

This development comprises 17 units 2-storey shop offices and 49 units 2-storey houses.

More details to be upon official project launch.

Project Name : Taman Seri Sepadu
Location : Tasek Gelugor
Property Type : Terrace houses and shop offices
Total Units: 17 (shop office), 49 (terrace)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : Exopuri Group

Location Map:

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has clarified that there is no approval yet for a plan to reclaim three man-made islands off the southern coast of Penang island.

He said the state government must follow the 18 points of advice set by the federal government.

“I did not say that the National Physical Planning Council has approved the project. What I sta­ted was that the council had agreed to its implementation, provided that we adhere to the 18 points of advice,” he told repor­ters here yesterday.

Chow said the confusion could have stemmed from media re­­ports which used the word “approved”, resulting in a statement by Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad to deny that the council had approved the project.

The Penang South Reclamation (PSR) is a project to reclaim three islands: Island A (930ha), Island B (445ha) and Island C (323ha).

This land bank is expected to bring in more than RM70bil for the state, of which RM46bil will be used to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan.

Chow said besides securing approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and a Traffic Impact Assessment report, other points of advice included the preparation for a Environment Management Plan report, Social Impact Assessment report, Road Safety Audit report and Fisheries Impact Assessment survey.

Other notable requirements, he said, were for a national disaster management plan to be put into place to reduce the development risk in event of a natural disaster such as a tsunami or increase in sea water levels, and a ban against the construction of condominiums priced above RM1mil.

He said the project delivery partner – SRS Consortium – would be working on fulfilling the advice points.

“All of us want the project to move ahead but it will take time and we are looking at least two years down the road before starting the physical implementation.

“It’s like in our DNA – that nothing will begin without all the approvals having been obtained.

“For the next stage, the state will have to look at the design and the financial architecture to implement this project.

“I can’t give a definite date when the project will start and any speculation that it will begin this year depends on how fast all approvals can be obtained,” he said.

On another matter, Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said the oversight by the design team on Penang Island Link 1 (PIL 1) was a serious matter.

“If Penang Forum member Khoo Salma Nasution had not pointed out the flaws, it would have gone through,” he said.

It was earlier reported that Chow had said that the person submitting the EIA report for PIL 1 might have “overlooked” the matter as the Public Works Department had stipulated that the design for cut slopes should not exceed six berms.

A berm is a raised barrier meant to fortify and protect the slopes.

Source: TheStar.com.my