The Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) probe into the controversial Penang undersea tunnel is focused on land swaps that were made for the feasibility and detailed design study which has yet to be completed.

Sources said investigators are scouring documents involving two plots of land – Lot 702 and Lot 713 in Bandar Tanjung Pinang – with a size of 1.48ha and 2.31ha respectively.

The value of Lot 702 is around RM135mil while Lot 713 is around RM160mil.

It is learnt that both parcels of land have since been mortgaged to banks to obtain financing. The state government has also authorised planning permission on both parcels of lands.

An artist’s impression showing where the tunnel project will start on the island.

“It has become an issue on why the study cost was inflated so much when it should have been an estimated RM60mil,” sources said, adding that determining the inflation and the reason behind it were among the challenges faced by the investigating team.

The sources also said that the graft-busters have their sights targeted on “somebody” who has been enjoying kickbacks and entertainment from the deal.

The feasibility and detailed design study is for the 7.2km undersea tunnel connecting Gurney Drive on the island to Bagan Ajam in Seberang Perai.

It is part of the RM6.3bil mega project comprising a 10.53km North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, the 5.7km Air Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass and the 4.075km Gurney Drive–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway bypass.

Read more: TheStar.com.my

A newly proposed development by Sunrise Towers Sdn. Bhd. on a half-acre land at Gurney Drive in George Town. It is strategically located close to Gurney Drive Roundabout, adjacent to the famous Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. The land is currently occupied by a 40-year-old 18-storey condominium – Sunrise Tower. It was one of the tallest buildings in Penang, and also one of the earliest condominiums in the state.

This development will see the construction (or to be refurbished?) of a 20-storey commercial building, featuring 165 units of office suites with 6-level automated car parking bays.

The project is still pending for approval, more details are only available at later stage.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Gurney Drive
Property Type : Commercial / Office suites
Tenure: Freehold
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 165 (office suite)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer :  Sunrise Towers Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map:

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement, unless stated otherwise. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

About 40 people claimed to have been cheated by irresponsible parties over the purchase of People’s Housing Project (PPR) units, said Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.

He said the victims claimed to have purchased application forms from third parties at the price of between RM5,000 and RM10,000 each, with losses amounting to RM250,000.

“These people have come to see the KPKT (Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry) to lodge their complaints. They said that the persons who sold the forms had promised they would be able to purchase the PPR houses as they (scammers) claimed that they knew people from higher up.

“The KPKT has also conducted (background) checks on these complainants. Most of them are not eligible to apply as they do not meet the requirements, and some are not listed because they have not submitted (certain) forms to the ministry,” he told reporters after officiating the Natural Heritage Sustainability Programme at Kampung Sungai Sireh here today.

Noh said in fact, all forms for the government housing assistance schemes are given free-of-charge.

Please take note that all forms for Penang government housing schemes are FREE OF CHARGE too!

Source: Bernama

Penang has received approvals for two technical reports for the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, which will involve building three islands.

State Local Goverment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Marine Department approved the Marine Risk Analysis report last Thursday.

He said the report was related to safety issues of the waterways where the PSR project would be developed.

He said the Drainage and Irrigation Department had, on July 18, last year, given approval for the Hydraulics Study, which covered the engineering aspect of the reclamation.

“We are still awaiting approvals for reports on social impact assessment, fisheries impact assessment and traffic impact assessment,” he said, adding that the reports were supporting documents for the overall Environmental Impact Assessment.

Speaking to newsmen in Komtar here today, Chow reiterated that the state government would not start work on the reclamation project without obtaining the approvals.

The PSR project, designed to fund the state’s milti-billion ringgit Penang Transport Master Plan, includes the creation of the three islands at Permatang Damar Laut.

The islands will have a size of 809ha, 526ha and 323ha each.

Source: New Straits Times

A proposed commercial development by Cristal Lagoon Sdn. Bhd. in the heart of George Town. Strategically at the intersection of Penang Road and Burma Road, right next to KOMTAR. This development will see the constuction of a 43-storey commercial buidling, featuring a mix of hotel, serviced residence, and commercial space:

• Hotel (286 rooms)
• Serviced residence (96 units)
• Commercial space (12 units)

The project is still pending for approval, more details to be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : George Town
Property Type : Commercial development
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 286 (hotel room), 96 (serviced residence), 12 (commercial space)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer :  Cristal Lagoon Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map: