Penang is optimistic that two major infrastructure projects—the Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway and Penang Silicon Design @5km+—will be included in the upcoming Budget 2025. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow emphasized that these initiatives are vital to the state’s development and are under serious consideration by the Federal Government.

Following discussions with national leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Digital Minister Gobind Singh, Chow shared that multiple options for the projects are being reviewed, each with different cost implications.

The RM1.8 billion Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway project is crucial to improving traffic flow in Penang, and the state hopes it will receive federal backing. Chow stressed that the selected option should balance cost-effectiveness and functionality, rather than focusing solely on the cheapest alternative.

On the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ front, Penang has requested a RM60 million matching grant from the Federal Government to support the RM120 million initiative aimed at enhancing the state’s integrated circuit (IC) design capabilities. Chow noted that this project, discussed with Tengku Zafrul and Gobind Singh during their recent visits, could significantly boost Penang’s standing in the global semiconductor industry.

Penang awaits the Federal Government’s decision as Budget 2025 approaches.

The Penang government, through PLANMalaysia@Penang (Penang Town and Country Planning Department), has launched a new monitoring system application called the Electronic Monitoring Structure Plan (eMOSPlan).

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the app, developed by PLANMalaysia@Penang, is designed to closely monitor the implementation of the Penang Structure Plan 2030 (RSNPP2030).

“Through eMOSPlan, the policies, projects, and programmes outlined in the RSNPP2030 can be tracked for their implementation and effectiveness,” he said.

“This app will also involve all relevant state agencies that are directly involved as implementing agencies.

“Thus, through this application, we can detect any irrelevant policies, projects and programmes that need to be amended in the RSNPP2030 review process.

“The performance level of each implementing state agency can also be seen through this app. With this, we can ensure that we can give the best services to the people of Penang,” Chow said in his speech before launching the application at Butterworth Arena, in conjunction with the state-level Town Planning Day today.

Also present were Penang Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, PLANMalaysia@Penang director Rozita Hamit, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.

Speaking about the state-level Town Planning Day programme, Chow also took the opportunity to acknowledge the crucial role town planners have played in Penang’s development.

He noted that the state-level Town Planning Day is a platform to celebrate their expertise and contributions as they continue to be the driving force behind the state’s push for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Proposed mixed development on a 5.7-acre land at Sungai Dua in Butterworth, located along Jalan Sungai Dua Utama 1, near Taman Sungai Dua Utama. It’s approximately 1km from the North-South Expressway and Sungai Dua interchange, with less than a 5-minute drive to Sungai Dua Toll Plaza. Within a 2km radius are SK Desa Murni and SJKC Kai Chee schools.

This development will feature both residential and commercial components: 73 units of 2-storey terrace houses and 23 units of 2-storey shop offices fronting the main road.

The project is still awaiting approval, more detailed information will be provided upon its official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Butterworth
Property Type : Mixed development
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: 5.65 acres
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 73 (terrace), 23 (shop office)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (follow us to receive future update)

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.

About Mezzo @ The Light City

The first residential project at The Light City – a large-scale 32.76 acre integrated mixed-use waterfront development by  IJM Perennial Development in Gelugor, Penang. Strategically located next to The Light Collection, just a mere minutes drive from Penang Bridge and George Town.

It comprises two 34-storey residential towers, featuring 456 seaview condominium units with various built-up sizes.

*Photo taken in late-Sep 2024

Find out more about Mezzo @ The Light City

Penang’s latest initiative to promote unity and religious harmony is the newly launched ‘Harmony Street’ in Bayan Baru. Joining a number of similar streets in the state, this vibrant project reinforces Penang’s multicultural reputation and its long-standing commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow officiated the launch, highlighting the state’s dedication to creating spaces that promote religious harmony. The Bayan Baru ‘Harmony Street’ now stands alongside other locations such as Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling in George Town, Bukit Mertajam, and Seberang Jaya, serving as symbols of the state’s religious diversity and unity. Chow also revealed plans for a future ‘Harmony Street’ in Butterworth, with a plot of land already allocated for the project.

In Bayan Baru, six places of worship are part of this newly established street, including Ban Ka Lan Snake Temple, Sri Visvanather Sri Visalatchi Kuil, Charismatic Church, Gurdwara Sahib Bayan Baru, Than Hsiang Temple, and Surau Al-Ubudiah. Chow emphasized that these initiatives play a crucial role in bringing together people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, creating a more united and harmonious society.

The project was originally developed by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) in the 1970s. Since then, the area has evolved into a thriving hub of interfaith activities. The state government, through the Penang Harmony Corporation (Harmonico), has allocated RM1.3 million towards these efforts.

Furthermore, Penang has developed the eRIBI database, which currently lists nearly 1,500 non-Islamic places of worship. This system is a one-stop centre for managing these sites and ensuring their proper maintenance.

State leaders hope that these initiatives will continue to foster inclusivity, promote unity, and strengthen community bonds in Penang.