The Penang state government has selected the best alignment for the Penang Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, as proposed by Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp). This decision was confirmed by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during a press conference at his office in Komtar. The state government sent a confirmation letter to the Transport Ministry two weeks ago, solidifying their agreement with the proposed alignment.

Chief Minister Chow stated that the chosen alignment aligns closely with their original plan, albeit with some modifications. Notably, the original LRT line did not include an extension to Penang Sentral in Butterworth. The new alignment begins at Silicon Island and connects Penang Sentral to the Macallum area in George Town, enhancing future connectivity to other lines.

MRT Corp has since discarded other proposed alignments, focusing solely on this selected route. With all critical decisions made, the project is now in the open tender phase. Construction is set to commence once the tender process is finalized.

The Transport Ministry officially assumed control of the Penang LRT project following Cabinet approval on March 22. SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd has been appointed to build the first segment of the project, with construction anticipated to begin in September.

D’Aleena, is part of a proposed 380-acre mixed development by Maple Meadow Sdn. Bhd., located in Kubang Menerang, Tasek Gelugor. Situated along Jalan Kubang Menerang, it is just a 10-minute drive from the well-established township of Bertam Perdana. The project is adjacent to two ongoing affordable housing developments, Scientex Tasek Gelugor and D’Halona Place.

This development will feature a total of 1,009 single-storey terrace houses, available in three different layouts. Each unit includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a typical built-up area of 1,001 sq. ft. Additionally, every unit offers parking space for two cars, ensuring convenience for residents.

Project Name : D’Alenna
Location : Tasek Gelugor
Property Type : Residential
Tenure: Freehold
Built-up Size: 1,001 sq.ft. onwards
Total Units : 1,009
Indicative Price : RM380,000 onwards
Developer : Maple Meadow Sdn.Bhd.

Source: Facebook

In a recent Facebook post, the Penang Chief Minister announced a fruitful discussion with Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. The meeting focused on several critical infrastructure projects previously proposed to the Federal Government, including the Perak-Penang Water Project, the expansion of the North-South Expressway (from Juru Toll to Sungai Dua Toll), and the return of 20% of collected taxes.

A key highlight was the proposal for a matching grant initiative to support the establishment of an integrated circuit (IC) design park and a chip design academy in Penang. Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan expressed keen interest in these innovative projects, recognizing their potential to elevate the local industry to compete with major global corporations. The involvement of government-linked investment companies (GLICs) was also identified as crucial for the sector’s development.

Additionally, the Penang State Government presented the ‘Penang STEM Talent Blueprint,’ designed to meet the human capital needs of various industries while also benefiting family welfare. Further discussions with the ministry will focus on implementing this blueprint to ensure it aligns with industry demands and supports the local workforce.

Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will organise a ‘Program Mesra Pelanggan’ (Meet the Customer Day) on June 30 (Sunday) at Taman Ara Jaya community hall in Ara Kuda, Tasek Gelugor.

MBSP mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad said the programme will focus on house owners in Ara Kuda, Tasek Gelugor, Kubang Menerong, Bertam dan nearby areas.

He mentioned that the programme will serve as a platform for these house owners to apply for approval from the city council if they want to conduct any renovation works on their houses.

“Those who just obtained the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) for new houses are also encouraged to apply.

“The city council urges all parties with residential homes to obtain approval for any renovation works they plan to carry out.

“Those who carry out renovation works without permission risk facing enforcement action from MBSP.

“This is important to ensure that all renovation works are carried out properly and legally to avoid any issues,” Azhar told reporters after the full council meeting at the MBSP headquarters building in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam today.

Azhar added that the approval for the renovation works will be granted on the same day if the applications meet all the criteria and conditions set by MBSP.

For further inquiries, the public can call the MBSP Building Department at 04-5497737 / 04-5497776.

On a separate matter, Azhar announced that ratepayers in Seberang Perai could stand a chance to win cash prizes totalling RM19,655 when they pay their second assessment tax for the year 2024 and arrears online, through appointed collection agencies or at kiosks.

“All premises owners on the mainland would be entitled to the lucky draw if they settle their payment from July 1 to Aug 31.

“The 10 cash prizes are RM5,555 (first place), RM4,000 (second place), RM3,000 (third place), RM2,000 (fourth place), RM1,000 (fifth place), RM700 (sixth place), RM500 (seventh place), RM400 (eighth place), RM300 (ninth place) and RM200 for the 10th place.

“From the 11th place until the 30th place, the price is RM100 each.

“Those who pay their assessment at the physical counter are automatically opted out of the draw.

“Thus, I would like to urge all premises’ owners to make payments and settle their arrears within the stipulated time to stand a chance of winning the lucky draw prizes,” he added.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Source: Facebook

Elite Material Co. Ltd. (EMC), headquartered in Taiwan, has begun construction of its first Southeast Asian manufacturing plant in Penang Science Park North (PSPN). The plant will focus on producing copper-clad laminate (CCL) materials, essential components in complex printed circuit boards (PCBs) and integrated circuit (IC) substrates. This development underscores Penang’s growing significance as a hub for high-impact economic activities, especially in the technology sector.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow welcomed EMC’s investment, noting the company’s pivotal role in advancing technology. Since its founding in 1992, EMC has become a leading producer of prepreg and CCL, with a strong focus on halogen-free materials since 2013. These materials are crucial for various industries, including mobile communications, artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), cloud data centers, 5G infrastructure, electric vehicles, and autonomous driving.

Chow highlighted EMC’s technological leadership, backed by over 250 patents, as a significant addition to Penang’s industrial ecosystem. The new plant, spanning 14 acres, will be built in two phases with a total investment exceeding RM900 million. Phase One, slated for completion in Q1 2025, aims for a monthly production capacity of 600,000 sheets, while Phase Two will add 150,000 sheets per month. Mass production is expected to commence in Q2 2025, targeting both local and international markets.

The Chief Minister emphasized Penang’s robust industrial ecosystem, which has consistently attracted major players in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector. In 2023, Penang recorded RM63.4 billion in approved manufacturing investments, marking a 463% year-on-year increase and contributing 42% to the national total. The E&E sector alone accounted for RM54.7 billion, or 86%, of these investments.

Chow expressed gratitude to EMC for selecting Penang, reinforcing the state’s status as a premier investment destination. He also acknowledged the efforts of InvestPenang and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in facilitating this significant investment.

Albert Dong, EMC’s chairman and CEO, explained that while standard incentives were provided, they were not the primary motivator for choosing Penang over other more affordable destinations like Thailand. Dong highlighted the importance of being close to customers and operating in a region known for its diligent workforce and strong work ethic. He described the incentive as a “cherry on top” of an already compelling offering.

Chief Minister Chow concurred, stating that factors such as a strong ecosystem, a robust supply chain, a talented workforce, intellectual property protection, and industry clusters are the primary attractants for investors. He added that successful investment decisions often lead to a cascade of related investments from vendors.

Datuk Loo Lee Lian, CEO of InvestPenang, expressed her appreciation for EMC’s decision to invest in Penang and assured ongoing support to ensure the company’s success in the region.