THE Penang government today announced that the Penang Development Corporation’s (PDC) latest affordable housing project in Batu Kawan, called Suria 2, will have its construction works begin in Dec this year.
Suria 2, which will cover 7.48 acres of total land size, is part of the 25 phases planned under the affordable housing development by the Penang government in Batu Kawan.
PDC chief executive officer Aziz Bakar said that 200 acres of total land size have been allocated for the development of housing projects under the 25 phases planned out.
“We have planned to build a total of 11,800 units of various types of affordable housing in all the phases.
“As for Suria 2 (under Phase Two), we will have a total of 520 units.
“Out of the 520, 371 will be Type C units, while 149 will be Type B units.
“We are looking at completing the project within three years with an estimated budget of RM102 million for construction works,” Aziz told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Suria 2 affordable housing project in Batu Kawan today.
Suria 1, which was completed, was the first project under Phase One.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to officiate the ceremony, applauded PDC and the entire team for working hard in planning and executing affordable housing projects in the maturing township of Batu Kawan.
“The whole team is working hard to add value to the development of Batu Kawan as an all-rounder township in Penang.
“As we all know, Batu Kawan is a town that has it all, from commercial, residential and institutional developments to the ever-growing Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP).
“Despite difficult situations, I believe Covid-19 has also opened a space to speed up developments here in Batu Kawan.
“Congratulations to PDC on Suria 2.
“We will continue to do our part in delivering sufficient affordable housing projects for Penangites,” said Chow during his speech.
Meanwhile, state Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the planning for housing in Penang has evolved tremendously over the years.
“PDC, as an experienced arm of the state government in the real estate sector, has greatly contributed to the development of affordable housing projects in Penang.
“It’s latest project, Suria 2, is a good proof that the state cares for the well-being of the people,” Jagdeep said.
Speaking of Suria 2, he added that Type C1 which cost RM72,500 for each unit, has a total size of 800sq ft; while Type C2 which is RM220,000 has 1,000sq ft in size. Meanwhile, Type B which is 900sq ft, cost RM168,000 per unit.
Among those present during the ceremony were Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad and Penang Housing Board general manager Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis