Penang will undergo its only scheduled water supply interruption (SWSI) for 2025 from April 25 to 28, affecting over 340,000 consumers across the state. The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has assured that efforts will be made to restore water in stages, with 40% of consumers expected to see their supply return within the first 24 hours.

PBAPP executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan stated that water supply is projected to resume for 136,683 consumers within a day, 163,502 within 48 hours, and the remaining 41,523 within 60 hours. Full restoration is anticipated by April 28.

“The disruption is scheduled to start on Friday night and over the weekend to minimise inconvenience,” he said, noting that the interruption is essential for carrying out 23 critical water works projects in 26 locations. These upgrades will benefit 465,000 consumers serviced by the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), the state’s largest.

Affected areas on the mainland include parts of North, Central, and South Seberang Perai, such as Butterworth, Alma, Permatang Pauh, Batu Kawan Industrial Areas, and northern Nibong Tebal. Key unaffected areas include Bertam, Kepala Batas, Bukit Mertajam, and southern Nibong Tebal.

On Penang Island, affected areas in the northeast district include George Town, Jelutong, Gelugor, and USM. Meanwhile, areas such as Air Itam, Tanjong Tokong, and Batu Ferringhi will not be affected. In the southwest district, disruptions will occur in Bayan Baru, Batu Maung, and Teluk Kumbar, while Balik Pulau (north), Teluk Bahang, and Sungai Pinang will remain unaffected.

PBAPP is prioritising major industrial zones and the Penang International Airport for early restoration, aiming for minimal disruption to essential services and businesses.

Penang State Housing Board has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of a mixed-use riverfront project on a parcel of state-owned land in Butterworth. The site, measuring over 13 acres, is located adjacent to the Perai River and in close proximity to Penang Sentral. This RFP seeks proposals that incorporate a combination of residential, commercial, and public spaces in alignment with applicable planning regulations and long-term development objectives for the area.

The registration of interest for the RFP commenced on 4 April 2025 and will remain open until 25 April 2025, closing at 12:00 noon. Only parties that register within this specified timeframe will be eligible to participate in the RFP process. Late registrations will not be considered.

A mandatory briefing session and site visit have been scheduled for 5 May 2025. Attendance at both the briefing and the site visit is compulsory. These sessions are intended to provide prospective participants with essential information regarding the project scope, site conditions, and submission requirements. Companies that do not attend both components will be disqualified from participating further in the RFP.

RFP documents will be made available starting 5 May 2025 and can be collected from Kaunter LPNPP, located on Level 3 of Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR) in George Town. All proposals must be submitted by 12:00 noon on 5 August 2025. Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered.

Eligibility for this RFP is restricted to companies that are fully Malaysian-owned. In addition to fulfilling the ownership requirement, companies must also complete the registration of interest and attend the mandatory briefing and site visit in order to qualify. Failure to comply with any of these conditions will result in automatic disqualification from the RFP process.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry has blacklisted 109 developers for various offences, with Minister Nga Kor Ming urging homebuyers to remain vigilant and check developers’ status before committing to purchases.

Announced during the 14th Annual Affordable Housing Projects Conference on April 7, Nga revealed that the directors of these blacklisted companies are also barred from forming new entities to bypass regulations. The list is now publicly accessible on the ministry’s official website (teduh.kpkt.gov.my), empowering buyers to verify the credibility of developers beforehand.

“These developers have been fined and are prohibited from obtaining new licenses until they settle their compounds and comply with regulations,” Nga said, adding that any ongoing projects under these developers would be their last for now. This step aims to prevent further exploitation of homebuyers.

In 2024, the National Housing Department issued 471 notices resulting in RM9.03 million in fines. In the first two months of 2025 alone, 56 compounds were issued, totalling RM1.25 million. Most violations involved the failure to submit development status reports and financial audits.

“This blacklisting is a stern warning. We will not tolerate non-compliance. The ministry is taking decisive action to protect homebuyers’ hard-earned money,” Nga stressed.

He reminded all developers to strictly follow regulations to ensure timely and quality project delivery. At the same time, he encouraged homebuyers to use the ministry’s website to make informed decisions before making financial commitments.

Nga also highlighted that Malaysian developers have earned international recognition, winning gold at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards for affordable housing. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to rewarding excellence while cracking down on unscrupulous practices.

“The welfare of homebuyers remains our top priority,” he concluded.

Vila Serasi is a new residential development by Pembangunan Nusa Cinta Sdn. Bhd., located in Bertam, Kepala Batas. The project offers convenient access to essential amenities, including SK and SMK Bertam Perdana, Mydin, Sunshine, Lotus’s Hypermarket, Bertam Water Park, Vision Park, UiTM, MRSM, the Advanced Dental Medicine Institute (USM), the Industrial Training Institute, and Penang Technology Park.

This development features two types of double-storey semi-detached homes: a standard semi-detached unit and a cluster semi-detached unit. The indicative price starts from RM 569,000. The land area ranges from 1,755 sq. ft. to 3,280 sq. ft., while the built-up size varies between 2,285 sq. ft. and 2,465 sq. ft., providing spacious living spaces designed for comfort and functionality.

Project Name : Vila Serasi
Location : Bertam
Property Type : Residential
Land Tenure: Freehold
Total Units: 18 (2-storey semi-d), 40 (2-storey semi-d cluster)
Land Area: 1,755 sq.ft. – 3,280 sq.ft.
Built-up Size: 2,285 sq.ft. – 2,465 sq.ft.
Indicative Price: RM569,000 onwards
Developer : Pembangunan Nusa Cinta Sdn. Bhd.

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 more than 160 years of operation—surviving even the Japanese invasion during World War II—the Penang Turf Club (PTC) will cease its horse-racing activities by June. An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on April 20 is expected to formalize the decision, with a two-thirds majority vote needed to dissolve the historic club.

Founded in 1864, PTC is Malaysia’s oldest horse-racing club but has struggled financially in recent years. A club official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that losses had become unsustainable, leading to the inevitable shutdown. The final race meeting is scheduled for May 31, closing a storied chapter in Penang’s sporting history.

Following the EGM, PTC will notify authorities, wind down operations, and terminate contracts with suppliers. Its 150 employees will be offered voluntary separation or retrenchment packages. The club’s next challenge is disposing of its prized 81-hectare land in Batu Gantong—valued at RM2-3 billion but unsold as a single parcel. Plans may now involve subdividing the land to attract buyers.

PTC’s closure reflects a regional trend. Last year, Singapore Turf Club ended its 180-year racing legacy, while Macau Jockey Club shut down after financial struggles. For Malaysian racing enthusiasts, only the Perak and Selangor Turf Clubs remain.

As PTC prepares for its final curtain call, its legacy—from wooden attap structures in 1864 to a modern-day icon—will be remembered as a symbol of Penang’s colonial past and sporting heritage.