Penang is taking a significant step toward sustainable development and improved labour conditions with the launch of a centralised worker dormitory project at Penang Science Park South. This initiative, spearheaded by the state government, aims to provide a well-structured and modern living environment for the workforce while addressing social concerns in nearby residential areas.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted the project’s alignment with the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations, and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). He emphasized that purpose-built dormitories not only ensure workers’ welfare but also mitigate challenges such as property devaluation, unregistered foreign workers, and associated social and environmental issues.

“Centralised worker dormitories are a critical investment in Penang’s industrial future. By housing workers in dedicated facilities away from residential zones, we enhance both their safety and the well-being of local communities,” Chow said at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.

The RM300 million development, undertaken by Urban Pinnacle Sdn Bhd in partnership with the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), will be built in phases. The first phase, set to be operational within two years, features two 20-storey hostel blocks with 836 apartment units, each measuring 1,100 square feet, capable of housing 8,000 workers.

Beyond basic accommodations, the dormitory complex will offer a holistic living environment with supermarkets, food courts, clinics, gyms, multipurpose halls, sports centres, cinemas, and recreational areas. Chow also noted that these facilities would streamline enforcement efforts, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

This initiative aligns with Penang’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments and reinforces the state’s position as a key industrial player, having secured RM32 billion in investments last year.

Further strengthening this vision, PDC CEO Datuk Aziz Bakar announced additional dormitory projects planned for Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP) 3 and Batu Kawan. Lien Dak Group executive chairman Stephen Wong also expressed appreciation for the state’s support, emphasizing the project’s role in enhancing Penang’s industrial competitiveness.

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About Jesselton Courtyard

A luxury residential project by Berjaya Land in the Penang Turf Club area. It features 32 units of Four-Storey Zero-Lot Bungalows (6,649 – 9,054 sq.ft.) with an indicative priced from RM6.48mil, and 207 units of 1½ – 2 Storey Condominiums (2,734–5,167 sq.ft.) with an indicative priced from RM2.87mil. Averagely around RM1,000 per sq.ft. It is surrounded by affluent neighbourhoods of Jesselton and Pulau Tikus and close to the Youth Park and the Botanical Garden.

Find out more about Jesselton Courtyard

The long-anticipated North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) project, a key component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), is set to commence following the state government’s approval of a revised alignment and commercial terms. The project is expected to begin construction in 2026 and take five years to complete.

Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow announced that the NCPR, known as Package 1 under PTMP, will provide an alternative route from Tanjong Bungah to Teluk Bahang. The project aims to alleviate congestion along Penang’s northern coastline while driving socio-economic growth in Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang.

Strategic New Alignment

The newly approved alignment has been carefully designed to bypass densely populated residential areas, including Jalan Chee Seng, Jalan Chan Siew Teong, Marvista, and Beverly Hills. The 10.61 km route comprises an 8.41 km main road and a 2.2 km coastal section. It will begin at Jalan Lembah Permai (Tanjong Bungah), run along the coastline past the Floating Mosque, and reconnect with the main road near Shamrock before extending through Batu Ferringhi to Teluk Bahang.

With this new route, travel time from the Floating Mosque to Teluk Bahang will be drastically reduced from 30-45 minutes to just 7 minutes.

Project Timeline and Costs

Once all necessary approvals are in place, the project will be executed by Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZC) and is expected to take five years. The estimated cost is RM2.43 billion, with an additional RM500 million allocated for land acquisition. A detailed design phase will take approximately six months, while an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Amendment for the coastal section is expected to require 1.5 years.

The financing model involves the Penang government funding 4.88 km of the road from Jalan Tanjong Bungah to Jalan Sungai Emas through a land swap agreement with CZC. Meanwhile, CZC will self-finance the remaining 5.73 km from Jalan Sungai Emas to Teluk Bahang, with costs recouped through future developments in Penang.

Key Road Junctions and Package 2 Progress

NCPR will feature major junctions at Jalan Sungai Emas & Jalan Sungai Satu, Jalan Batu Ferringhi (Chin Farm Traffic Light Intersection), and Jalan Teluk Bahang.

Meanwhile, Package 2 of PTMP, the Air Itam – Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass, has achieved over 73% completion, marking steady progress in Penang’s transport infrastructure development.

Harbour View Residence is an affordable housing development under the Rumah MutiaraKu scheme by OSK Property, situated within the vicinity of Harbour Place in Butterworth. Located near Jalan Harbour Place, it is surrounded by several condominiums, including Ocean View Residences, Park View Tower, Sea View Tower, Luminari Residences, and Wellesley Residences. The location offers convenient access via Jalan Chain Ferry, with Penang Sentral just a short drive away.

The development features a 32-storey residential tower with 373 affordable units, each offering a typical built-up size starting from 950 sq.ft. A 6-level multi-storey car park podium is conveniently located adjacent to the tower. Residents can enjoy a range of facilities, such as a swimming pool, gym, community hall, and more.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing
• Full list of affordable housing in Penang

Project Name: Harbour View Residence
Location : Harbour Place, Butterrworth
Property Type : Affordable housing (Rumah MutiaraKu)
Total Units: 373
Built-up Size: 950 sq.ft. onwards
Land Tenure : Freehold
Indicative Price : RM250,000 onwards
Expected Completion: 2028
Developer: PJD Eastern Land Sdn. Bhd. (OSK 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.

Homeownership is set to become more accessible with the launch of the Juru Hills affordable housing project (Rumah MutiaraKu). This initiative is backed by an RM18.5 million Tawarruq Financing Facility agreement between Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) and Firma Atasan Sdn Bhd.

A key highlight of the project is the innovative financing model designed to reduce financial burdens for homebuyers. Under this arrangement, banks will offer a 95% loan, with the remaining 5% covered by the developer as a loan for the down payment. Moving forward, the state government aims to refine this mechanism further, potentially allowing buyers to secure a home with just RM10 as a down payment, while developers cover the balance.

For example, if a home is priced at RM250,000, the bank will provide a 95% loan, leaving the remaining RM12,500 for the down payment to be covered by the developer. This means buyers do not have to make a large upfront payment.

“This initiative is to make homeownership easier for those who deserve it. We are still in the process of exploring this,” said State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing at Livingston Tower.

The Juru Hills project, which will be developed in two phases, consists of 1,236 affordable units priced between RM248,000 and RM278,000. Each unit will include at least two parking spaces, with selected units offering three. Phase one will focus on Block A, delivering 618 units, while the second phase will introduce another 618 homes.

Beyond affordability, Juru Hills promises a quality living environment with lifestyle amenities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium, and other recreational facilities. Firma Atasan Sdn Bhd’s executive director Chew Why Hoong emphasized the project’s commitment to community well-being by incorporating facilities like a Youth Learning Centre for technical training and a Nursing Home with a 94-bed capacity.

In line with Penang’s green building initiatives, Juru Hills will also be GBI-compliant, featuring sustainability elements such as a rainwater harvesting system, solar energy solutions, and a wastewater treatment facility.

BPMB Group CEO Roni Abdulwahab reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering local businesses and underserved communities through targeted financial support. “This partnership with Firma Atasan is a step towards making homeownership more accessible, while integrating sustainability into urban development,” he said.