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.
MBPP approves City of Dreams project, linked to land-for-tunnel swap deal
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.
Menapolis or Megalo(mania)polis? Outlandish concrete deck island proposal for Penang
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).
Pykett Avenue mansion revisited
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 The MBPP later stunned many Penangites when it rescinded its rebuild order.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.
Open letter to new Penang Island mayor
Penang Forum has written a congratulatory letter to the new mayor of Penang Island which also outlines the group’s grave concerns over recent developments and trends.
Komtaresque towers in Tanjung Bungah: Online petition launched
Residents of Tanjung Bungah have launched an online petition against a Boon Siew Group project that will see two 50-storey buildings, one 49-storey building and one 34-storey building sprouting in the area.
The online petition, launched on 4 April 2015, has so far drawn about 600 signatures. The petition can be found here. Over a thousand other residents had already signed a manual signature petition.
Alert: Calling all MPs, vote against the Sedition Act amendments
2300:
108 BN vs 79 PR..AH pindaan ini dibaca peringkat JKuasa setelah PR kalah dlm undian.
— Mujahid Yusof Rawa (@mparitbuntar) April 9, 2015
MPs in attendance: BN 80.5% – PR 91.8%
— Fahmi Fadzil (@fahmi_fadzil) April 9, 2015
Pepper Estate residents near agreement with developer
If not for the initiative taken by the Pepper Estates residents committtee, the unity of the residents themselves, and the assistance of the elected reps for the area, the residents might not have achieved a satisfactory deal.
The residents grouped together and formed an association and hired an excellent, hardworking and honest lawyer. By the residents staying together and insisting on adequate compensation, they achieved it. Some important lessons to be learned here in dealing with developers.
A Pepper Estate resident reports on the compensation agreement:
It is almost three years since Beverley Heights Properties Sdn Bhd (BHP) bought the land known as Pepper Estate (about 30 acres in Tanjung Tokong) in May 2012.
Alert: Now they are trying to deny bail for sedition
Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse. They are trying to amend the Sedition Act in Parliament.
Govt is submitting an amendment to the Sedition Act which allows denial of bail once charged. Far more draconian! pic.twitter.com/zKyyXkWTyI
— Nurul Izzah (@n_izzah) April 7, 2015
Alert: Pota bill being steamrolled through in Parliament (updates)
0226 (7 Apri): The Pota bill is passed. Detention without trial is back. It is a hammer blow to democracy in Malaysia. Janji dicapati.
0125:
They are still grinding on.