More and more people are expressing disquiet over the model of development being pursued in Penang. From north to south of the island the voices are growing louder.
Even property prices on the mainland are soaring – and this before the tunnel work has even started. Double- and even single-storey houses in Bagan Ajam in Butterworth, close to the site of the proposed tunnel, are going for RM600,000-700,000, whereas only about three years ago, they were were about half that level.
The state government must clarify this report and explain how hill land could be rezoned to ‘perumahan’ (housing).
Never mind the United States and Singapore. Look at how the ringgit is faring against the baht in post-coup Thailand.
We are even slipping against the Indonesian Rupiah of late. Where are we heading?
There’s still a bit of uncertainty over PKR’s choice of candidate for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election. Party strategists are understood to be looking for the most ‘winnable’ candidate.
What do you think?
Should the RM27bn Penang Transport Masterplan be renamed? Because it looks increasingly as if the planned improvement in the transport infrastructure in the state will bring with it massive land reclamation and (mainly high-end?) property development.
Why are we thinking of cross-channel cable cars when it is not in the Penang Transport Masterplan, for which the state government paid RM3.2m to consultants to undertake?
The Penang DAP State Assembly member for Tanjung Bungah Teh Yee Cheu is unhappy about a draft plan that would classify Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi as a future development zone that would include commercial development.
The property development in connection with the tunnel is about to start with earnest with the RM800m City of Dreams project having received approval from the Penang Island City Council.
City of Dreams involves the construction of a total of 522 luxury serviced apartments in two 38-storey towers on a 3.7 acre site in Sri Tanjung Pinang in Tanjung Tokong. Sea-front apartments will be priced from RM1200 per sq ft, which is reportedly lower than E & O’s nearby RM1800psf high-end condos.
An out-of-this-world proposal has reportedly been received from Hong Kong investors to build a 2500ha concrete deck island instead of reclaiming the Middle Bank as part of a land swap deal for the Penang Transport Master Plan.
If the report is true, it looks as if the ecologically sensitive Middle Bank is being eyed as a target for land reclamation under the Master Plan (much like how reclaimed land in Tanjung Tokong is being handed over to the developer of the proposed tunnel).
Heritage enthusiast tunglang sent in this photo story of the remains of a 19th-century mansion at Pykett Avenue that was suddenly demolished before MPPP personnel could visit the premises to assess the building. The MBPP later stunned many Penangites when it rescinded its rebuild order.
It was a September Sunday morning. Passing by the desolated grounds of the mansion, I decided to pay her (the remains of the mansion) a second visit.
