A PROPOSAL to redevelop the former Sunshine Farlim site into a community hall for residents in Bukit Gelugor has received encouraging support from both the Penang government and local representatives.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government welcomes the idea, but stressed that the matter must first be deliberated between the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Sunshine, as the land belongs to MBPP.
“The land where the old Sunshine Farlim stands is under MBPP’s ownership.
“However, the building itself was constructed by Sunshine many years ago when the council, then known as MPPP, leased the land to them,” Chow said during his remarks at a Deepavali programme at Sunshine Sentral in Farlim earlier today.
“For many years, the supermarket served as a key retail landmark for the people of Air Itam, Paya Terubong, and Bukit Gelugor.
“Now that Sunshine has relocated to its new premises, we understand the old site is no longer being used,” he said.
Chow explained that both MBPP and Sunshine would need to reach a mutual understanding on how the site should be managed moving forward.
“This issue involves lease and ownership agreements, so it must be handled properly.
“I hope that once an agreement is reached, the site can be repurposed for community use, specifically as a hall for the people of Bukit Gelugor,” he said.
Chow also added that the proposal aligns with the state government’s long-term goal of expanding community facilities, especially in high-density constituencies such as Bukit Gelugor, where residents have long expressed the need for more local halls and public spaces.
Meanwhile, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh echoed the call, saying the site’s location makes it an ideal choice for a new community hall that would serve all three state constituencies under Bukit Gelugor, Air Itam, Paya Terubong and Seri Delima.
“This spot, where the old Sunshine Supermarket once stood, is geographically the centre point of Bukit Gelugor.
“It is the most suitable location to establish a community hall that can serve residents across all three areas,” he said.
Ramkarpal said the need for such a hall is pressing, considering the constituency’s size and population.
“Bukit Gelugor is the largest parliamentary constituency on Penang island, with about 75,000 registered voters.
“Given its size and the growing number of activities and community programmes, it is only fitting that we have a dedicated community hall for our residents,” he said.
He noted that due to the lack of a proper hall, many community programmes have had to be held in neighbouring areas.
Many of our events take place at halls in the neighbouring schools, which have kindly supported us for years.
“But I think the time has come for Bukit Gelugor to have its own community hall,” he said to applause from the crowd.
During the same event, Ramkarpal also joined Chow in distributing 500 Deepavali goodie bags and shopping vouchers to local families as part of the constituency’s festive outreach programme.
Each recipient received an RM60 shopping voucher along with a goodie bag containing 5kg of rice, biscuits and other essentials.
The aid, he said, was primarily distributed to 442 Indian families, 25 Chinese families, 26 Malay families and seven others across the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary area.
The Deepavali aid initiative was organised in collaboration with Sunshine Central, which not only hosted the event but also contributed additional goodie bags for the beneficiaries.
“I would like to thank Sunshine Central for their continued partnership and generosity towards our local community.
“Their support ensures that no one is left behind during the festive season,” Ramkarpal said.
He added that with strong collaboration between MBPP, the state government and federal agencies such as the Federal Territories Planning Programme (FTPP), the proposed community hall project could soon become a reality.
“With the Chief Minister’s support and coordination among all stakeholders, we can make this project happen.
“Bukit Gelugor deserves a permanent, community-based facility that residents can proudly call their own,” he said.
Both Chow and Ramkarpal expressed optimism that the proposed hall would serve as an inclusive space for local events, welfare drives, cultural activities and civic engagements, reinforcing Penang’s commitment to people-first development.
“The Penang government remains committed to supporting projects that foster community spirit and enhance social well-being,” Chow concluded.
Also present earlier were Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang and Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan, and MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat