THE Penang State Executive Council (Exco) has approved the application by the Board of Governors of S.M. Chung Ling Butterworth to use Lot 5533 in Taman Teratai Indah, Butterworth, as a basketball court and assembly area, subject to conditions set by the Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) District and Land Office.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the approval was granted today after the Exco reviewed the application submitted on 22 July 2025 and considered the relevant land history and documentation presented by the SPU District and Land Office.
According to the presentation, Lot 5533 was originally part of a development project by Asia Green Construction Sdn Bhd, which designated the plot as open space to be surrendered to the state government free of charge. It was later gazetted under Section 62 of the National Land Code in 2009, with the State Secretary as the controlling officer and the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) as the maintenance agency.
Chow said records show that approval was previously granted on 12 September 2019 (confirmed on 18 September 2019) to the Taman Lucky Village Community Management Community (MPKK) to use a portion of the state land (Plot 5533) measuring 781.41 sq metres as an open space.
Chow clarified that the land remains the state property and does not belong to any private individual or organisation. The earlier construction of a basketball court on part of the land in 2017 by former PTA chairman Datuk Seri Hong Yam Hwa, at a reported cost of RM500,000, was carried out without formal approval or authorisation from the state government or local authority. The site is located approximately 300 metres from S.M. Chung Ling Butterworth.
He explained that the act of constructing a covered basketball court on the land does not confer ownership or management rights to any party. Therefore, he said the claim by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng that the land should be returned to the school is unfounded and misleading, as the school was never granted management rights over it.
He added that the Board of Governors of S.M. Chung Ling Butterworth had applied to use the entire Lot 5533, measuring 3,582 square metres, for a basketball court, parking area, and assembly ground on 12 August 2025. The application was supported by the local community, including the MPKK Taman Lucky, which agreed to relinquish its existing usage rights through a letter dated 10 November 2025, and the Sungai Puyu assemblyman, who issued a letter of no objection.
Taking into account all the factors and feedback received, Chow said the Exco approved the Board’s application to use the land, with the understanding that the permission is subject to conditions imposed by the SPU District and Land Office.
“This decision ensures that the land continues to serve the community’s recreational and educational needs, while maintaining adherence to state land regulations,” Chow added.
Chow emphasised that the approval grants SM Chung Ling Buterworth the right to use the land but not to own it.
Chow said four conditions will be imposed if the school accepts the Exco’s approval:
- The school must submit a building plan with a roof for the basketball court to the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to legalise the structure.
- Residents must be allowed to continue using part of the area for parking, as has been practised.
- No new structure may be built on the land without prior approval.
- The land must be surrendered to the state government at any time upon request, without compensation.
SM Chung Ling Butterworth Board of Directors chairman Datuk Seri Koay Hean Eng, who was present at the press conference, said he would convey the Exco’s decision to the Board for further discussion before receiving the official approval letter from Chow at the end of the press conference.
Also present at the press conference were state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi, Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, Chief Minister’s senior confidential secretary Mohd Balkish Othman, and SM Chung Ling Butterworth board director Lee Phay Chian.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Sit Nuratikah Rahmat