Just days after the resounding success of the Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon, Klippa Shopping Centre has unveiled another game-changing addition to its vibrant Batu Kawan destination. Come June 2025, Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA, will open its doors as a state-of-the-art facility designed to promote community, lifestyle, and healthy living. This marks Soccer Experience’s inaugural venture on mainland Penang, further cementing Klippa’s role as the hub for active living and connectivity.

Largest soccer experience facility to date

Under the leadership of Martin Tierney, the founder of Soccer Experience, the sprawling 200,000-square-foot facility will be the largest in the Soccer Experience portfolio. It boasts two football fields, including a roof-covered field tailored for large-scale events, regular competitions, and individual bookings. Visitors will also enjoy light refreshments, including offerings from IKEA, at the on-site clubhouse. With ample parking facilities, convenience and accessibility are at the forefront of this development.

The facility’s football academy will cater to players of all ages, offering coaching programs, leagues, and tournaments for women, youth, and children. This initiative aims to nurture local talent while fostering inclusivity and inspiring the next generation of Malaysian football stars. Notably, Fergus Tierney, the first Soccer Experience youth player and son of founder Martin Tierney, recently made headlines by scoring his first full international goal for Malaysia. Fergus expressed hope that the facility will ignite passion and ambition among budding footballers in the region.

A austainable vision

Aligned with Klippa’s masterplan for sustainability-focused development, Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan incorporates innovative green infrastructure. The facility will repurpose materials from an existing project management office building and include solar energy solutions and rainwater harvesting systems. Additionally, existing trees will be replanted within the grounds, creating a green, eco-friendly environment that complements its community-driven ethos.

Arnoud Bakker, Director of Market Strategy and Real Estate Development at Ikano Centres, emphasized Klippa’s role in fostering a dynamic and active community. “Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan is a perfect fit for our vision of creating spaces where people can connect and pursue their passions with friends and family. Following milestones such as the Penang Bridge International Marathon and the opening of Decathlon, we are proud to further champion healthy, active lifestyles through initiatives like this.”

Enriching the community

Martin Tierney expressed his excitement about the facility’s potential to elevate the local sports culture. “We are delighted to bring Soccer Experience to mainland Penang. This facility represents more than just a sports venue; it’s a community-driven space that fosters connections and lasting memories for people of all ages. Our goal is to nurture local talent, promote inclusivity, and inspire a passion for football.”

The facility’s emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability aligns with Klippa’s broader commitment to enhancing the Batu Kawan township. As the heart of Aspen Vision City, Northern Malaysia’s future smart city, Klippa continues to evolve with family-friendly areas, green spaces, and diverse entertainment offerings.

A growing hub for active living

The Soccer Experience facility is one of many initiatives underscoring Klippa’s dedication to community engagement. Recent milestones, such as the October 2024 opening of Decathlon and the Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon, attracted over 22,000 participants from 65 countries, further solidifying Klippa’s reputation as a vibrant community hub. Upcoming additions, including a Caltex petrol station, will enhance convenience for visitors, reinforcing Klippa’s position as the go-to destination in Batu Kawan.

Looking ahead

With Soccer Experience @ Klippa Batu Kawan, Powered by IKEA, Klippa Shopping Centre continues to redefine itself as a cornerstone of the Batu Kawan community. By blending sports, lifestyle, and sustainability, the facility promises to offer unparalleled opportunities for recreation, connection, and growth. This ambitious project is set to inspire and engage residents while contributing to the overall well-being of the region.

The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has announced a restriction on heavy vehicles exceeding five tons from using specific roads in the Bukit Tambun area during peak hours. The enforcement will begin on February 3, 2025, and is aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the area.

This ban will be in effect every day, except on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The restricted hours are from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The affected roads include Jalan Bukit Tambun, from the Jalan Perindustrian Bukit Minyak junction to the Bukit Tambun Toll (North), and Jalan Pa Thau – Paboi in Bukit Tambun, Seberang Perai Selatan.

Mayor Dato’ Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid explained that the ban applies to all vehicles weighing 5,000 kilograms or more, except those owned by the government or statutory bodies. This measure was initially approved and gazetted in 2021, but its enforcement was postponed. The reimplementation seeks to address the growing traffic issues during peak hours in the area.

To accommodate affected users, alternative routes have been suggested. For those traveling via the North-South Expressway, the Juru and Bandar Cassia exits are available. Alternatively, local routes such as Jalan Tok Kangar, Jalan Kendi, and Jalan Perusahaan Valdor can be used, depending on the direction of travel.

During a press conference at the MBSP Tower, the Mayor emphasized the importance of this measure in improving traffic flow and reducing congestions for residents and commuters in Bukit Tambun. The session was attended by City Secretary Mohd. Ibrahim Md. Nor and several council members.

For further inquiries or clarification, the public can reach out to MBSP’s Traffic Unit at 04-549 7629 or the Senior Engineering Office at 04-549 7603.

Images: Buletin Mutiara

About D’ Starlingtton

A 29-storey condominium development by Wismas Dayamas Sdn. Bhd. (GSD Land) in Teluk Kumbar, covering 4.5 acres along Jalan Teluk Kumbar, about 2km from Penang International Airport. The project features 820 residential units with an 11-storey carpark, and rooftop facilities. Neighboring communities include Platinum III, D’zone Condominium, Saujana Heights, Emerald Residence, and Valencia Residence.

Find out more about D’ Starlingtton

The Penang government, through the One-Stop Centre (OSC) of the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), has set an ambitious goal to shorten the planning permission approval process to just 40 days.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said MBSP and all technical agencies are actively collaborating to streamline the process.

He acknowledged the current approval period under the MBSP OSC is around 58 days and stressed the need for applicants to submit comprehensive and compliant plans to ease the process.

“The relevant agencies have begun a mission to reduce the planning permission approval period to 40 days.

“To meet this ambitious goal, a workshop was held this week to map out the process meticulously.

“The process was mapped backwards from 40 days to identify the daily milestones,” he explained to the media when asked about the recently announced Rumah Bakat Baru Madani Affordable Housing Scheme.

The housing scheme was touted as the nation’s largest housing development targeted at the B40 and M40 income groups. The Rumah Bakat Baru Madani Affordable Housing Scheme is scheduled to commence in Penang by the first quarter of next year (2025).

Chow recently attended the signing ceremony of the joint development agreement for the project between the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), its subsidiary PDC Properties, and SkyWorld Development Berhad. The event took place at the St. Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also present at the event in Kuala Lumpur, highlighted the efficiency of development processes in Kuala Lumpur, where planning permissions are approved in approximately 42 days.

“If Kuala Lumpur can do it, then Penang can do it too,” he remarked.

Chow had earlier mentioned that the state has identified two plots of land in Seberang Perai, namely 34 acres of land in Seberang Jaya (Jalan Todak in front of Penang Bird Park), and another 161.5 acres of land near Batu Kawan (Design Village Outlet Mall) for the development.

“From these two locations, more than 35,000 affordable housing units will be built and they are targeted to be completed in 15 years.

“The construction would employ the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method, making Penang the first state to adopt this approach under the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.”

Chow had also highlighted that the project would include facilities such as a swimming pool, a gym, a multipurpose hall, and a playground. Each unit will be sold from RM225,000 to RM420,000.

“This initiative supports our efforts to retain local talent,” he said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

A newly proposed commercial property development on a 4-acre coastal site in Bayan Mutiara. The location is between The Pier serviced residence, currently under construction by Asia Green, and the police marine quarters. It is the last available piece of coastal land in the northern part of Bayan Mutiara, offering a clear view of the Penang Bridge.

The project includes a 39-storey serviced apartment building with 371 residential units. The design incorporates 10 floors of parking, and recreational facilities on levels 11 and 39. A 29-storey hotel is also part of the development, featuring 350 rooms. The hotel will include recreational spaces, parking across five floors.

The project is still in the planning stage. More details will be provided upon its official launch.

Property Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Bayan Mutiara
Property Type : Commercial
Total Units : 371 (serviced residence)
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Land Tenure : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more in the future)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. 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.