THE Penang government is optimistic that the Silicon Island project, once completed, will replicate the success of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this is possible through a topside development plan for the project.
Today, Chow, alongside Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and other state dignitaries, made a historic visit to Silicon Island since its reclamation started in September of this year.
“The topside development plan features the high-tech industrial park called ‘Green Tech Park’ (GTP) as well as digital technology infrastructure, e-commerce, and Global Business Services (GBS) facilities.
“The GTP is designed with environmental, social and governance (ESG) concepts that will be able to attract compliance-conscious investment that is now a global corporate focus.
“The location of the GTP and BPO also is strategic because it is close to the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ), Penang International Airport (PIA) and the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
“As a result, this will guarantee the development and increase the competitiveness of Penang’s electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing sector, similar to what was achieved with the development of Bayan Lepas FIZ,” Chow said in his speech at the Region 1 Marine Police Base in Batu Uban today.
Silicon Island, renamed from Island A under the proposed Penang South Islands (PSI) project, is located at the south end of Penang Island, measuring 2,300 acres in land size.
It is the only island to be reclaimed out of the proposed three islands after the state government decided to scale down the PSI project on the advice of the Federal government.
Silicon Island is expected to be fully reclaimed by 2032, with the entire development spanning 25 years.
The reclamation of PSI’s Silicon Island is undertaken by Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SIDSB).
SIDSB is the project developer (PD) set up by PIC PD Sdn Bhd and SRS PD Sdn Bhd. PIC PD owns 30% of SIDSB while SRS PD owns the remaining 70%.
Chow said the development of Silicon Island is expected to generate a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM1.1 trillion and an RM74.7 billion investment, apart from creating 220,000 job opportunities that will benefit Penangites and Malaysians.
“Silicon Island will also improve liveability and quality of life, increase household incomes, empower the people, especially local fishermen through the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP), increase the built environment’s resilience to reduce carbon emissions, increase the use of renewable energy and face climate change challenges.
“Therefore, we are confident that Silicon Island will play its role as an environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliant project to attract investors, develop the state’s economy, and safeguard the well-being of the local community at the same time,” he said.
In a press conference later, Chow said since the reclamation of Silicon Island started in September, a total of five acres of land have been reclaimed so far.
“This is just preliminary work only. The project can be expedited based on the market demand.
“Starting next year, we will increase the number of ships to be used to ferry the sand and pump the sand to Silicon Island.
“We expect to reclaim around 300 to 400 acres per year. This does not include infrastructure works as they can only begin after the reclamation works are fully completed,” said Chow.
Arriving at the site at about 10am today, Ahmad Fuzi, Chow and other distinguished guests were briefed on the progress by the officers from the Gamuda Berhad.
They spent about 30 minutes on the man-made island. Many of them were seen taking the opportunity to snap photographs around the vicinity.
The visit included tree planting as a symbolic gesture.
Among those who visited the site were Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, state Tourism and Creative Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, and Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus.
Story by Riadz Akmal and Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Alissala Thian and Siti Nuratikah Rahmat