TWO lifts that had been out of service for nine years at Ferringhi Mutiara Apartment in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, are now operational following a RM613,000 upgrading project funded by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
The project, carried out under the Malaysia Housing Maintenance Fund (TPPM), began on Sept 1, 2025, and was completed on Aug 28, 2026. It was officially handed over to the apartment’s joint management body (JMB) today.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who officiated at the handover ceremony, thanked the Federal Government, the departments involved, including Penang Island City Council (MBPP), the apartment management and all parties who had contributed to the project’s successful implementation.
He said two of the apartment’s four lifts had been out of service for nine years due to component failures and age.
“This initiative not only improves residents’ safety and comfort but also facilitates their daily movements, particularly for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and those with special needs.
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved, including MBPP, the management and all parties who contributed to the successful implementation of this programme. Without your assistance and support, this project would not have been possible,” said Zairil, who is also the Tanjong Bunga assemblyman.
He was speaking at the ceremony before presenting a certificate to the apartment’s JMB chairman, Alex Cheam Kah Loong.
Zairil said that since its introduction, TPPM had received 460 applications between 2020 and 2026, of which 99 had been approved, involving a total allocation of RM33.62 million.
A record 120 applications were received this year, while 19 applications were approved last year, the highest number of approvals in a single year, with an allocation of RM7.88 million.
“Overall, the statistics demonstrate that the programme continues to receive applications from JMBs and management corporations (MCs). It serves as a financial support mechanism for low-cost and lower-medium-cost private housing schemes to carry out maintenance works and improve residents’ safety and comfort,” he said.
Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, MBPP councillor Lee Seng Hwai, MBPP engineering director Cheah Chin Kooi and Tanjong Bunga constituency penghulu Mohd Syuib Mohd Azel.
Syerleena said the successful lift upgrading project demonstrated how the government was attentive and responsive to the needs of the people.
She highlighted the cooperation between the Federal and state governments in implementing initiatives that benefited the community.
She also welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the recent national Budget 2027 of an allocation of RM2.6 billion for Penang to fund 280 projects.
Syerleena added that the Federal government also approved RM33 million for the Mount Erskine underpass project.
She said the Federal Government had also allocated RM61 million under the rolling plans for long-term structural mitigation measures in Penang, including beach rejuvenation works in areas affected by severe coastal erosion.
“Our beaches are very important. Batu Ferringhi is a tourism hub, and we will do everything we can to restore it to its former glory and ensure that it shines once again as one of the pearls of the Orient,” she said.
Two days earlier, Syerleena had conducted a site visit with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to assess and monitor the situation.
She said the works would take time, adding that the state government had allocated RM500,000 for ongoing works because “we cannot wait any further”.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Alex Cheam thanked the Federal and state governments for their support in resolving the lift issue.
He said the apartment complex, which was built more than 30 years ago, comprises 437 commercial and residential units across Blocks A & B, and Blocks C & D.
“The residents of Blocks A & B are very happy with the upgrading works. Everything went smoothly, thanks to the cooperation of the contractor and the inspection conducted by the MBPP Building Commissioner (COB).
“Next year, we intend to apply for financial assistance to repaint the buildings, at an estimated cost of between RM600,000 and RM700,000. Ferringhi Mutiara Apartment is strategically located, and a makeover would certainly give tourists visiting Batu Ferringhi a better impression of the state,” he said.
Story and pix by K.H. Ong