SOME 700 acres out of the 2,300-acre Island A have been designated as a Green Tech Park to fulfil the needs of the industry, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
“We are going to sign an agreement with SRS Consortium; and another agreement under the private funding initiative (PFI) to appoint Gamuda Engineering to begin the Phase One reclamation of Island A, which is approximately 1,200 acres.”
It was reported that the Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB), on behalf of the Penang government, would be entering a joint venture with SRS Consortium to reclaim Island A (one of the three islands of the Penang South Reclamation project).
It was also reported that two JV companies – a project developer (PD) and a turnkey contractor (TC) – would be set up according to the JV model. The TC will be appointing Gamuda Engineering to work on the Phase One reclamation of Island A.
Chow said that the state was looking at niche upstream value chain activities, including product research, as well as design and development investments for the Green Tech Park.
“Such investments would emphasise on creating top-notched working environments which would in turn attract talents.
“Penang will become an even more well-rounded regional industrial hub with the realisation of the Green Tech Park on Island A,” Chow said during the Q&A session of the virtual dialogue session entitled ‘Penang: A Sustainable Investment Location’, organised by InvestPenang today.
Various embassies, trade commissioners and consultants took part in the one-hour dialogue which was conducted via Zoom.
Chow also gave some updates on the other components of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
“The construction works of the Bandar Baru Air Itam to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (Package Two) has resumed in February this year and is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2025. The estimated cost for the project is RM851 million. We are currently addressing land acquisition matters.
“The detailed design finalisation process for the Tanjung Bungah-Teluk Bahang bypass (Package One) is expected to be completed by middle of this year.
“The Gurney Drive-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu bypass (Package Three) is of lowest priority (among the three major roads project); hence, we will decide the way forward for this particular project,” Chow said.
Chow said the feasibility study report for the Gurney Drive-Bagan Ajam undersea tunnel (Package Four) had been completed at the end of last year.
“The state technical working committee is scrutinising the study and it will be brought to the state executive council (exco) for further action. The detailed design finalisation process for the proposed undersea tunnel project is expected to be completed by middle of this year,” he said.
Chow added that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) approval is valid until April 2022.
“The report has obtained the approval from the Department of Environment (DoE). We may have to start certain segments of this highway to comply with the EIA requirement.
“Meanwhile, the proposed Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) highway project – linking the proposed Island A to the Penang island – is still in its planning stage,” he said.
Chow said that the state was still in discussion with the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to finalise the location of the Bayan Lepas LRT station in front of the Penang International Airport.
“All the approvals such as the EIA, Social Impact Assessment, Traffic Impact Assessment and the Heritage Impact Assessment, are in place,” he said.
The Q&A session was moderated by InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian. Also present was the Chief Minister’s special advisor Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis