After years of anticipation by residents in South Seberang Perai, the long-awaited “Missing Lane” connecting Bandar Tasek Mutiara and Hijauan Hills has finally been completed and officially opened to traffic this Saturday.

The newly completed 380-ft road features a dual-carriageway four-lane design aimed at improving connectivity and easing congestion in the surrounding areas. The project also includes various safety and public facilities such as height restriction gantries, warning lights, speed bumps, street lighting, and road signage.

State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman, Zairil Khir Johari, said the project had faced numerous challenges throughout its implementation, including legal disputes, and had even been repeatedly raised during State Legislative Assembly sittings.

Despite the obstacles, he said continuous efforts from all parties ensured the project was eventually realised for the benefit of the people.

“With the opening of this road, residents, students, and parents travelling between the two areas will enjoy better accessibility, while traffic congestion in the area is also expected to improve,” he said during the official opening ceremony on Tuesday.

Also present at the event were state executive councillors Goh Choon Aik and Jason H’ng Mooi Lye.

In addition to the RM5 million road project, authorities have also installed new traffic lights at the Hijauan Hills junction, which will begin operating simultaneously with the road opening to enhance safety along the route.

The intersection upgrading works included widening Jalan Valdor, adding new street lights, and constructing speed bumps, bringing the total cost of the enhancement works to approximately RM3.5 million.

Zairil expressed hope that both projects would improve road safety, enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion in nearby areas, and strengthen the overall road network in South Seberang Perai.

He added that the road connection would significantly improve connectivity between Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Hijauan Hills, and Jalan Valdor, making daily travel more convenient for residents.

The new road also improves accessibility to six nearby schools, an issue frequently highlighted in the State Assembly due to the large residential population and schools located on both sides of the road.

For safety reasons, a 2.8-metre height restriction gantry has been installed to prevent heavy vehicles from using the road. However, keys to the barrier have been provided to the Fire and Rescue Department and volunteer fire brigade to ensure emergency vehicles can pass through when necessary.

After four years of silence, Hotel Equatorial Penang is officially making its return, with reopening scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

The hotel, which ceased operations in February 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, confirmed its comeback through an official announcement on its website. According to the statement, the property is currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation involving all 412 guestrooms and public spaces. New additions will include family suites, upgraded meeting and convention facilities, a Sanctum Spa, co-working spaces, an exclusive lounge, as well as enhanced landscaping and pool areas. The revamped hotel is also designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, described the reopening as a strong vote of confidence in Penang’s tourism future. He noted that Hotel Equatorial Penang remains a well-known legacy brand with strong emotional connections among travellers and locals alike. Its return, he said, is expected to further strengthen Penang’s position as an international tourism and business destination.

Wong added that the reopening is not merely about resuming operations, but about reinventing the hotel with a fresh concept, updated management approach, and modern hospitality standards. He stressed that the hospitality industry must evolve with changing market demands through upgraded facilities, services, and branding.

The reopening also reflects broader growth in Penang’s tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector. Since 2024, Penang has seen 14 new hotels commence operations, with another eight currently in the pipeline. Ongoing infrastructure improvements, including new direct international flight routes, the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), and the expansion of Penang International Airport, are further boosting investor confidence.

Strategically located near the airport in Bukit Jambul, the hotel is expected to benefit from improved future connectivity, including the proposed LRT expansion in the southwest district.

First opened in 1989, Hotel Equatorial Penang was long regarded as one of the island’s most recognisable hotels. Its closure during the pandemic sparked nostalgia among many Penangites, who shared memories of weddings, events, and family stays at the property.

A proposed mixed development situated on approximately 10 acres of land along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, adjacent to The View condominium in Batu Uban. The site is a short drive from the Penang Bridge and is well-connected to George Town and surrounding townships via the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. The site was previously earmarked for a development known as The Millennium.

The proposed development is a large-scale mixed commercial project comprising eight high-rise towers spread across four plots. The integrated development will feature retail, office, hotel, serviced apartment, and serviced suite components, with tower heights ranging from 48 to 70 storeys. Each plot will be supported by retail podiums, lifestyle facilities, extensive multi-level car parks, and two basement parking levels.

In total, the project will deliver over 360 retail units, more than 2,500 serviced apartment units and suites, over 400 office units, and a hotel component offering close to 410 rooms. The development is envisioned as a comprehensive mixed-use commercial hub, seamlessly integrating residential, business, hospitality, and retail elements within a modern, high-density urban environment.

The project is still pending approval, and further details will be made available upon its official launch.

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Batu Uban
Property Type : Mixed development
Land Area: 5.9 acres
Total Units : (to be confirmed)
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
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 at the time of publication. 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.

A total of 187 recipients received their keys and ownership offer letters for Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) Type A units at the Mak Mandin Indah project in Penang, marking another milestone in the state government’s affordable housing agenda.

Each unit spans 650 sq ft with three bedrooms and is priced at just RM42,000, a fraction of the current market construction cost of between RM170,000 and RM180,000 per unit. The total construction cost of the project was nearly RM29 million, yet units were sold at a combined price of only RM9 million, meaning the Penang State Government absorbed approximately RM20 million to ensure low-income residents could own a home.

Speaking at the key handover ceremony, Housing and Environment Exco Dato’ Seri S. Sundarajoo reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to affordable homeownership despite rising construction costs. He added that through the Penang State Housing Board (LPNPP), the state is targeting the construction of 220,000 RMKu units to meet the housing needs of its people.

Units at Mak Mandin Indah are offered under a rent-to-own scheme, where recipients pay just RM250 per month for 15 years, after which full ownership is transferred to them. Sundarajoo noted that this approach eliminates the need for bank loans, sparing buyers from high interest rates and upfront deposit payments that can reach up to RM6,000. Since last year, LPNPP has also been purchasing compliance housing units priced below RM100,000 from developers to resell to the public through the same rent-to-own method. The state also offers RMKu Type C units priced between RM200,000 and RM300,000 under a similar scheme.

Among those who received their units, recipients expressed heartfelt gratitude for finally having a place to call their own. For many, the programme represents relief from years of renting at rates they could no longer sustain, with some having faced personal hardships including job loss, health challenges and family difficulties. The affordable monthly payment of RM250 offers them not just a roof over their heads, but long-term security and peace of mind.

About The Pier

A mixed-development project by Asia Green Group in Bayan Mutiara, Penang, strategically located along Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the Penang Bridge’s Bayan Lepas exit. Adjacent to The Zen development (formerly Zen 9), it comprises two residential towers—Tower A with 496 units and Tower B with 438 units, totaling 934 units. The development includes facilities on level 8, a 7-level car parking podium, and 64 shop offices at ground level.

Find out more about The Pier