Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai celebrated its soft opening on Monday, 3rd March 2025, marking an exciting milestone as Malaysia’s first-ever Holiday Inn & Suites property. Designed to offer a seamless blend of comfort and convenience, the hotel caters to both business and leisure travellers, bringing a fresh take on modern hospitality to Penang’s mainland.

The soft opening was celebrated with an exclusive ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by YBhg. Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, Datuk Oh Aik Kim, Datin Amy Oh, Mr. Lye Hock Peng, Mr. Wee Yee Tat, and Ms. Sharmila, alongside General Manager Nick Ng, and Exopuri Development Sdn. Bhd. owner, Ng Kock Leong. Their presence underscored the significance of this new addition to Penang’s growing hospitality landscape.

Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, the hotel offers 332 thoughtfully crafted guest rooms and suites, designed to meet the diverse needs of every traveller. With options ranging from contemporary standard rooms to spacious suites featuring kitchenettes, Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai ensures every guest experiences a stay that’s as flexible as it is comfortable.

A Space to Celebrate, Work, and Unwind

Whether planning an event, indulging in leisure activities, or simply enjoying a peaceful retreat, the hotel’s facilities are built for every occasion. Highlights include:

Tiffins: An all-day dining venue inspired by the traditional tiffin carriers, serving a fusion of local and international dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Brewin: A vibrant lobby lounge offering curated beverages and light bites, perfect for casual conversations or winding down after a busy day.

Recreational Amenities: Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, a kids’ pool, a fully equipped fitness center, and a serene yoga space for relaxation.

For meetings and events, Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai offers over 2,066 sqm of versatile function spaces, including a grand, pillarless ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 guests in banquet seating. What sets this ballroom apart is its unique drive-in vehicle access, making it ideal for car launches, weddings, and grand celebrations. Additional meeting spaces, an outdoor garden, and poolside venues ensure every event is personalized and memorable.

A Landmark of Warm Hospitality

“We are thrilled to announce that Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai has celebrated its soft opening today, marking the dawn of a new era of modern comfort on Penang’s mainland. Our vision was to create a space that feels like home for every guest. Whether you’re here for work, relaxation, or a celebration, Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai is designed to cater to your every need. It’s a destination that embodies the Holiday Inn promise of making travel brighter and delivering meaningful moments. Our grand opening is eagerly anticipated later in Q2 this year, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests,” said Nick Ng, General Manager, Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai.

Convenience at Its Core

The hotel is strategically located near the Prai Industrial Zone, just a short drive from Penang International Airport, offering unmatched convenience for business travelers, corporate clients, and leisure guests alike.

For more information or to book your stay, visit Holiday Inn & Suites Penang Prai or contact ConnectWithHISPP@ihg.com or call +604-271 8888.

Image: Buletin Mutiara

The long-awaited Package Two bypass road, linking Bandar Baru Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, is progressing ahead of schedule, marking a significant step towards alleviating traffic congestion in Penang.

State Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari announced that the project had reached 73% completion as of February 28, demonstrating efficient coordination and execution. During a site visit to Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Gelugor, he led a delegation to oversee the installation of massive beams, a critical phase of the elevated road construction.

“We are installing some of the longest beams at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, each weighing 140 tonnes,” Zairil stated. Six beams will be installed at this section, with three supporting each side of the carriageway. Similar installations are planned for other key areas, including Jalan Bukit Gambir.

The RM851.04 million project, spearheaded by Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) under the Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC), is anticipated to be completed by 2026. Once operational, the new road will drastically reduce travel time between Bandar Baru Air Itam and the expressway from 40 minutes to just 10 minutes.

Emphasizing safety, Zairil urged contractors to maintain stringent safety protocols despite the accelerated progress. “While we are ahead of schedule, I urge contractors to ensure safety remains the top priority,” he said, expressing satisfaction with the project’s current status.

Meanwhile, project director Asward Indra Firhad detailed the next construction phases, including netting and deck slab works to provide structural support and enhance road user safety.

Residents affected by the ongoing works are encouraged to stay informed about road closures and alternative routes through social media and news portals.

The Package Two project will feature three major interchanges: Interchange One at Lebuhraya Thean Teik, Interchange Two at Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, and Interchange Three at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, incorporating a left in-left out junction and an elevated U-turn.

Seberang Perai is set to become the focal point of Penang’s industrial expansion as the state government and private sector join forces to drive development forward. In a significant move, the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and SP Setia Berhad have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to establish a cutting-edge industrial park within the growing township of Setia Fontaines in Kepala Batas.

This industrial park will span 323 acres within the 1,693-acre Setia Fontaines development, contributing to Penang’s vision of sustainable economic growth. SP Setia’s Chief Operating Officer, Datuk Zaini Yusoff, emphasized that the park will integrate Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles, ensuring responsible and sustainable industrial practices.

With an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM1.2 billion, the industrial park is expected to attract businesses seeking a secure and well-planned environment. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in complementing the growth of multinational corporations in the state. The park will provide SMEs with a vital platform to expand and contribute to the evolving supply chain.

Beyond the industrial park, the Setia Fontaines township itself is a major undertaking, with a total projected GDV of RM12 billion upon completion. The development will include commercial spaces such as office buildings, a trade centre, warehousing facilities, a technological hub, shopping malls, food and beverage outlets, a convention centre, a hotel, and leisure areas.

The MoC was officially signed yesterday by PDC’s CEO, Datuk Aziz Bakar, and SP Setia’s CEO, Datuk Choong Kai Wai, with Chief Minister Chow witnessing the historic moment. Also present were state officials overseeing trade, entrepreneurial development, housing, and environmental affairs.

This collaboration marks a crucial step in Penang’s ongoing transformation, reinforcing Seberang Perai’s role as a key driver of the state’s economic future.

Seiras Residences at Utropolis Batu Kawan is a co-living development by Paramount Property, featuring 411 dual- and triple-key serviced apartments designed for modern professionals. As the fifth phase of the 44.3-acre Utropolis Batu Kawan, it offers flexible living spaces with seamless connectivity to Penang Island and key amenities like UOW Malaysia KDU, Columbia Asia Hospital, and Design Village Outlet Mall.

Spanning 2.27 acres, Seiras introduces Penang’s first triple-key concept, with 1,033 sq ft units catering to homeowners and investors. Residents enjoy co-working spaces, a gym, pools, and commercial units for dining and retail. Designed for flexibility, community, and sustainability, Seiras redefines urban living in Batu Kawan.

Project Name : Seiras Residences
Location : Batu Kawan, Penang
Property Type : Serviced apartment
Built-up Area : 1,033 sq.ft.
Land Tenure: Freehold
Total Units: 411
Indicative Price: RM578,000 onwards
Developer : Paramount Property

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.

After three decades of serving the community, the Seberang Jaya Sony Sports and Recreation Complex is about to undergo a significant transformation, with an RM12 million upgrade designed to elevate its facilities and foster the next generation of sports talent in Penang.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project would be fully financed by Sportizza Sdn Bhd, the company awarded the contract following an open tender process. The upgrade will include the refurbishment, management and long-term maintenance of the complex.

Located on an 8.5-acre (3.4-hectare) site, the project is expected to take one year, with completion scheduled for early March next year before opening to the public.

New facilities will include an artificial turf football pitch with seating for 200 spectators, as well as five futsal courts, one of which will meet FIFA standards.

“The project will also include 12 badminton courts and five pickleball courts, as well as essential amenities such as changing rooms, a gym, a pro-shop, prayer rooms, toilets, meeting rooms and parking.

Artist’s impression

“The futsal and badminton courts will also be adaptable for other sports, including netball, volleyball, indoor hockey, dodgeball, tennis and basketball,” said Chow at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.

State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Sportizza chief executive officer and managing director Chiew Chun Yong, and Seberang Perai Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid were present at the event.

Chow, who also chairs the Penang Stadium and Open Space Corporation, added that Sportizza would manage the complex for 30 years. The company will also run training programmes to nurture new sports talent.

Meanwhile, Gooi pointed out that the original complex opened on Nov 30, 1991, with only two football fields and courts for netball, volleyball, basketball, tennis and sepaktakraw, along with multi-purpose rooms.

“It’s time for an upgrade to meet the growing demand for recreational and sports facilities,” he said.

He also hoped that the improved complex would become a hub for nurturing sports talent, not just at the state level, but nationally and internationally.

Source: Bernama