GAMUDA Bhd is the favourite to land the job as the Project Development Partner (PDP) to oversee the implementation of key components of an integrated transportation plan on Penang island

The others in the running for the PDP job that is estimated at more than RM5.5bil for the initial phase are IJM Corp Bhd, MMC Corp Bhd, the Scomi Group and WCT Holdings Bhd.

The state that is expected to issue a request for proposal (RFP) exercise next month have made it clear that only companies with a minimum RM3bil annual turnover and a track record of 15 years can participate.

Two key components of the RFP would be to build a 17.5 kilometre light rail transit (LRT) project that connects the Komtar building to the airport and a link cutting across the island from Bayan Lepas to Tanjong Bungah.

The Bayan Lepas-Tanjong Bungah cuts across a mountainous terrain and would require tunnels.

“The LRT project alone is estimated at RM4.5bil,” said a source.

In return for implementing the entire transportation system, which is expected to cost RM27bil and to be done over many years, the PDP would be awarded with the rights to reclaim a sizeable amount of land in the state.

Sources familiar with the proposed plan said Gamuda met with the state government officials about two months ago to present its proposal.

“The proposal to construct a LRT line would need the license from the Federal Government which would be the responsibility of the PDP. For instance, if Gamuda wins the mandate, it would also be responsible for securing the licence,” the source said.

The Scomi Group is the dark horse for the project because it already has a mandate from the Federal Government to carry out a train project on the island.

“The mandate was given in 2008 but could not be implemented after the state government fell into the hands of the opposition,” said an industry official.

In exchange for carrying out the project, the state is giving the PDP the rights to reclaim large tracts of land and the option is in two areas on the island.

The first option is an area in the southern part of the island involving reclamation of some 2,000 acres of which about 30% or some 600 acres will be carved out for the state for the future expansion of the Penang International Airport and to enlarge the Free Industrial Zone (FIZ).

The other option is for the PDP to reclaim the seagrass land located in between the Penang Bridge and the river mouth of Sungai Pinang, which is popularly known as the Middle Bank seagrass.

The state has already indicated that it would start work on an integrated transportation master plan last month.

In relation to this, on June 13, Penang Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow had said in a press conference the Penang government would call for a RFP in August for companies to bid to be the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) in the state’s Penang Transport Master Plan strategy.

According to Chow, the appointed PDP must be a reliable partner to the state to guarantee the projects’ delivery.

“They will have to oversee all the projects with costs estimated at RM27bil. The costs cover highway infrastructure (RM16bil) and public transport (RM9bil). The institutional costs amount to RM905mil,” Chow had said during the press conference held in June.

Chow had said that any interested company or consortium comprising local or international companies could take part in the RFP and the submission period was open for three months. Chow said the appointed PDP had to ensure that the projects complied with government policies and procedures, and obtain all relevant approvals including securing of funds.

He said the PDP would not be working on the projects but only acting as a consultant to the state.

“However, the PDP will be involved in the calling for tender process of the transport master plan projects and will have to step in should the contractors fail to deliver, either to replace the contractors or to do it themselves under their own cost,” Chow had said.

The concept is almost similar to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s plan to build a tunnel between Penang island and Butterworth together with a traffic dispersal system near the Gurney Drive and Tanjong Bungah area.

The project was awarded to Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between a Malaysian company and a China company. The entire project is expected to cost RM6.3bil and is to be paid by the company having some 110 acres of land in the reclaimed area of Tanjong Tokong.

Source: StarProperty.my

THE state Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department has approved 14 projects under the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund (TP1M) for Penang this year.

Eleven of the projects are for Penang Municipal Council and three for the Seberang Prai municipality.

State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh said these were among the 40 projects under consideration by ICU.

“We applied for 119 projects to be considered under TP1M and we were informed that 40 projects were under consideration by ICU.

“Other than the 14 approved projects costing RM9,772,850 in total, we have had no reply as yet from ICU on the other 26 projects,” Jagdeep said at Komtar.

Under TP1M, the Federal Government bears the maintenance of low-cost and low medium-cost housing units under a 90:10 and 70:30 ratio respectively with management bodies.

The state government has allocated RM50mil to pay for the management bodies’ remaining share of 10% and 30% cost through its Housing Assistance Programme of Penang Yes! (Happy!)

Jagdeep said ICU rejected the application for reimbursement of the Taman Pinang TP1M maintenance works costing RM279,000.

“When we were informed that the (Taman Pinang) project under the low-cost category was being considered, we went ahead and paid the amount for the repair works, particularly for the roof was in critical condition,” Jagdeep said.

“The state government has to bear the entire cost which would only be 10% if the reimbursement was approved,” he added.

Source: StarProperty.my

In May this year, Eco World president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah (pic) told StarBiz that the freehold land status and location near the second link and adjacent to the North-South Highway gave it great potential to be developed as a mixed-development project.

Penang Development Corp (PDC) has firmed up plans to turn some 312ha near the Second Bridge in Batu Kawan into a theme park with a resort and golf course.

Towards this end, PDC is expected to award the development of two projects to two firms that are big names in the property development sector.

Sources said that one of them was Eco World Development Group Bhd, which is the fastest-growing name in the property sector this year because of its links to Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, formerly of S P Setia Bhd.

“Eco World has won the tender to develop a golf course and mixed-residential property project encompassing an area of 190ha,” said a source.

It is learnt that PDC is in the final stages of negotiations with the group, firming up terms and conditions.

“When PDC called for tenders, Eco World was the sole participant, bidding to pay RM35 per sq ft for the land. If the land is for commercial usage, then the bid will open at RM45 per sq ft,” a source said.

Eco World’s parcel involves the development of a golf course and a mixed-residential scheme. “It’s not a commercial project,” a source said.

Eco World will use 60ha for the golf course project and the balance 130ha for a mixed-residential property scheme.

On an adjoining land measuring 121.4ha, the sources said, a large Kuala Lumpur-based resort and theme park operator had made a bid together with an overseas developer that specialised in theme park development.

“But the tender exercise for the second parcel, which is bigger, has yet to be completed,” an executive added.

Eco World already owns a 24.28ha parcel of land in Bukit Tambun, on which it plans to launch a RM920mil mixed development called EcoMeadows next year.

If it is awarded the job to develop the 190ha land in Batu Kawan, it would pave the way for Eco World to be established as a major land owner and developer in the state.

In May this year, Eco World president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah told StarBiz that the freehold land status and location near the second link and adjacent to the North-South Highway gave it great potential to be developed as a mixed-development project.

He had said the company was planning the development of a mini mall, comprising shops and offices all designed in line with its “Eco” theme that emphasises sustainability and livability.

“Over time, we aim to build up our presence in Penang so that it will be able to consistently contribute around 10%-15% to total group sales,” he said.

On Penang island, the group is planning to preview the RM340mil EcoTerraces in Paya Terubong, comprising luxury landed homes, condominium units and a private residents’ club on a 5.26ha site.

Since the announcement of the second bridge in 2006, property prices in Seberang Prai and on the island have surged significantly.

The price of vacant land in the area, especially in south Seberang Prai where the second bridge is located, is now hovering between RM40 and RM50 per sq ft, a huge jump from 2006’s RM8-RM9 per sq ft range, according to Henry Butcher Malaysia (Seberang Prai) Sdn Bhd associate director Fook Tone Huat.

Land prices in central and north Seberang Prai are now within the range of between RM50 and RM100 per sq ft, compared with RM20 and RM40 per sq ft then.

The attraction of Seberang Prai has also lured Mah Sing Group Bhd to acquire land-bank near the mainland where the second bridge lands.

Last December, Mah Sing acquired a 30.9ha site in Jawi, comprising 20 pieces of prime freehold contiguous land, for RM400mil.

According to group managing director and chief executive Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum, the group plans to introduce an integrated township called Southbay East, which will comprise linked homes, semi-detached units and town houses.

Source: StarProperty.my

Vona Parkcity, an upcoming mixed development by Vona Properties Group in the established township of Bukit Gambier, Penang. This development is strategically located along Jalan Bukit Gambier, just a mere minutes drive from USM.

This develoment comsists of:

• Condominium – 516 units (Vona Sky)
• Low Medium Cost – 194 units
• Medium Cost – 130 units
• 3-storey Shop Offices – 12 units

More details to be available soon.

Suria @ Hijau E-Komuniti is the first phase of affordable housing development by Penang State Government at Batu Kawan. Strategically located within the key development area of Bandar Cassia, about 500 meters away from Design Village outlet. Surrounding communities and amenities include Eco Horizon, Aspen Vision City, Utropolis, IKEA Store and KDU University College.

The current phase comprises a total of 520 affordable units, with indicative price starting from RM72,5000 onwards:

• 800 sq. ft. (149 units) – RM72,500
• 900 sq.ft. (98 units) – RM168,000
• 1,000 sq.ft. (273 units) – RM220,000

*UPDATED: Dec 2018*

Property Project : Hijau E-Komuniti
Location : Batu Kawan, Penang
Property Type : Apartment/Condominium
Indicative Price: RM72,500 onwards
Total Units : 520
Project Status: Compeled with OC
Developer : Penang Development Corporation

Location Map:

Hijau E-Komuniti

A strategic masterplan by Penang State Government with a keen emphasis on green living and long term sustainability. This development is expected to provide 11,800 units of affordable housing for 59,000 residents. Meticulously planned down to the finest detail, the development will be implemented in stages through multiple phases.

As its name implies,  Hijau E-Komuniti is pleasantly surrounded by lush greenery and the wonders of nature. The ideal backdrop for green living, it features:

• 2-km Green Lung
• Lush landscaping
• Desirable location close to the sea and surrounded by the rich floras and faunas of Batu Kawan
• A multitude of recreational spaces
• Dynamic integrated township
• Affordable housing and conducive lifestyle
• Equipped with the latest public amenities and facilities
• Strategic location – Gateway to Penang
• Variety of layout plans available to suit individual preferences
• Satellite city, commercial centres, theme park, Batu Kawan Stadium, Batu Kawan Industrial Park as well as higher learning institutions situated within its vicinity ensure excellent job opportunities and investment value

Hijau E-Komuniti is envisioned to rise as the Northern Corridor Economic Region’s (NCER) main focal point when fully developed. With an estimated 59,000 residents and a wide array of amenities, infrastructure, industrial areas as well as commercial centres within its vicinity, it is set to grow at a rapid pace and ultimately become a self-sustaining ecosystem of its own.

A 20-minute drive through the 2nd Penang Bridge brings you to Bayan Lepas, Penang’s main industrial hub. Additionally a wide range of amenities and facilities including schools, wet markets, banks, health clinics, hypermarkets and other industrial parks are only within a short drive away.

Hijau E-Komuniti will be developed in 5 phases and the construction of phase 1 is already in progress.

More about Penang’s Affordable Housing Scheme

The Master Plan