THE Penang government today launched the publicity and public participation programme for the Final Draft Penang Silicon Island Local Plan (RTPSI) 2050, describing it as a historic and forward-looking blueprint that will shape the state’s newest economic growth hub.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the RTPSI 2050 marks a milestone in Malaysia’s planning landscape as the country’s first local plan developed entirely for a greenfield area created through land reclamation at Penang Silicon Island.
He said the plan will guide development through best urban design practices grounded in ESG principles, the Sustainable Development Goals and low-carbon city planning, positioning Penang as a leading destination for future investment.
Chow explained that the mission of RTPSI 2050, Towards Smart and Sustainable Development, aligns with Vision Penang 2030, particularly the theme of investing in a sustainable built environment.
“The Silicon Island is envisioned not only as a centre for modern infrastructure but as a climate-resilient, inclusive and high-quality urban community that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship.
“Development will add about 2,300 acres of new land for targeted growth, including a 553-acre ESG-concept industrial zone designed as a managed industrial park with plug-and-play facilities.
“Economically, the project is projected to contribute at least RM1.1 trillion to gross domestic product (GDP) by 2050 while creating around 220,000 jobs across construction, manufacturing, services and the digital economy, strengthening Penang’s position as a regional high-tech and innovation hub,” he said during the launching ceremony at Amari SPICE Penang earlier today.
Chow also reiterated the plan’s sustainability ambitions, which include reducing carbon emissions by 45 per cent, allocating 17.5 per cent of the area as green spaces, ensuring 100 per cent renewable energy use at the Green Tech Park and achieving a 70:30 modal shift supported by cycling and pedestrian networks.
The plan further targets a 34 per cent reduction in water usage and a 63.5 per cent reduction in landfill waste, alongside the development of the Heart of the Island as a new iconic destination, a future state administrative centre, vertical mixed-use developments, a No-Dig Policy supported by a dedicated utility corridor and environmentally friendly waste management systems.
He urged government agencies, the private sector and the public to actively contribute feedback during the publicity period to ensure the plan remains inclusive and comprehensive.
Meanwhile, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the Silicon Island project is already showing strong progress on the ground, reflecting the state’s proactive and pragmatic approach to long-term planning.
As of March 2026, 330 acres of land have been successfully reclaimed, while Phase One covering 1,270 acres remains on track for completion by 2031.
He added that the RTPSI 2050 will lock in high-tech, sustainable land-use zoning, provide long-term certainty to investors, and allow smart infrastructure to be integrated through a top-down planning approach without compromise.
H’ng noted that the plan will be one of three local plans in the state, alongside the Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030 and the Penang Island Local Plan 2035, forming a comprehensive planning framework for the future.
The publicity and public participation programme for the final draft runs from March 30 to May 8, 2026, at Komtar and the Penang PLANMalaysia office, allowing the public to submit proposals, feedback or objections.
A Public Inquiry and Hearing Committee has also been approved to ensure every view is assessed transparently and fairly as the RTPSI 2050 moves closer to implementation as the guiding blueprint for a smart, sustainable and globally competitive Penang Silicon Island.
Also present earlier were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang PLANMalaysia director Datuk Rozita Hamit, and Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Siew Chia En