THE Penang government is considering offering ex-gratia payments or alternative land to the owners or occupants of three land lots in Bukit Langkap, Central Seberang Perai district, following a decision on the proposed land acquisition.
The three lots involved are Lot 459, Lot 461 and Lot 466.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision was approved at the Penang State Land Committee meeting on Sept 2 this year.
He added that applications to renew Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) for 83 plots that remain active could also be considered by the land administrator, while applications for new TOLs will be put on hold pending further decisions by the state authorities.
“In principle, the proposed development of the Central Seberang Perai Regional Corridor (SPT), which is being planned by the Penang government and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), does not currently identify the Bukit Langkap area as a primary development plot.
“Therefore, existing activities in the area may continue until a comprehensive study on the corridor’s development and the need for red earth supply is finalised,” he said.
Chow (PH–Padang Kota) was responding to an oral question from Zulkefli Bakar (PN–Penanti) at the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Elaborating further, Chow said the application for land acquisition in Bukit Langkap, including state land, under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (Act 486) was approved by the state authorities on May 7, 2025, and gazetted on May 29 of the same year.
“The application for land acquisition under Section 8 of the same Act was subsequently approved on April 29, 2026, before being gazetted through the Penang State Government Gazette Nos. 712 and 713 dated May 14, 2026.
“At the same time, the state government, together with PDC, will continue to refine the development plans for the SPT Regional Corridor, taking into consideration economic development needs, land use and existing agricultural activities in Bukit Langkap.
“This approach is intended to ensure that the corridor’s development is carried out in a well-planned and balanced manner, while taking into account the interests of all affected parties and the needs of the local community,” he added.
In response to a supplementary question from Zulkefli on measures to ensure slope safety and prevent untoward incidents, Chow said the state government is also taking into consideration the need for slope construction to support a private industrial development project in the area.
“For now, we will begin with the privately undertaken industrial project so that one section of the area can be developed in the near future.
“At the same time, we will take note of the need to construct slopes for the private project,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal