THE latest design for the Tanjong Bungah Seaside Pocket Park has incorporated nearly all requests from residents, with only one issue remaining to be resolved, says state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
He said the state government had been engaging the developer, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), technical departments and residents’ representatives since December last year to jointly shape the park’s design.
He noted that at the latest meeting on Oct 27, the developer agreed to include residents’ requests for two public access points, sufficient parking bays and native coastal planting in the plan.
Zairil said the discussions are ongoing, with the next meeting scheduled for Nov 16, to be convened by the State Legal Adviser’s Office and attended by the developer, One Tanjong’s management corporation, PlanMalaysia, MBPP and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS).
“The state’s door remains open, and we encourage residents to continue raising their views through this process,” he said in a statement today.
He also expressed puzzlement over the protest held yesterday, saying the matter is already before the appeals board, with the next hearing scheduled for Nov 19.
“Furthermore, the resident groups have been at the table since December 2025, alongside One Tanjong’s management corporation, and their requests have been taken into consideration in the plan.
“With the one remaining issue to be addressed in two weeks, it is fair to ask whose interests a protest at this stage serves,” he said.
Zairil said the state respected residents’ right to express their views and took their concerns seriously, adding that public engagement is a standard part of development projects in Penang.
He said neighbouring property owners were notified of developments, given the opportunity to raise objections and allowed to appeal.
“This project has not only gone through every one of those steps, but the state has gone the extra mile in accommodating the demands raised by the residents,” he said.
Zairil added that the park is intended for the wider Tanjong Bungah community and urged residents to continue working through the established process.
He said the park is being built at no cost to taxpayers, while the final plan will still have to meet the safety and environmental requirements set by the relevant agencies.
“Once complete, it will be open to everyone.
“Our goal has not changed: a safe, public seaside park for Tanjong Bungah,” he said.
