With restrictions on the outflow of funds from China, what kind of impact will this have on the sales of property especially those on waterfront or reclaimed land in Malaysia? Are we in danger of creating ghost cities, where people buy property just for “investment”?
Tanjung Bunga: Good for developers, depressing for residents
This was outgoing Tanjung Bunga Residents Association chairman Renji Sathiah’s farewell address at the annual general meeting of the Tanjung Bunga Residents Association on 25 February 2017:
Penang and Tanjung Bunga continue to be threatened with unrestrained and unplanned development. More and more high-rise high-density projects have been and are being built in Tanjung Bunga and Batu Feringghi, greatly increasing traffic flows through our neighbourhood to and from the city.
Penang’s new (artificial) island in the sun – for whom?
The first phase of a 760-acre island, mainly for the well heeled, is emerging off the northeast coast of Penang Island – part of the Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2 reclamation. Smack in the middle of where the Tanjung Tokong fisherfolk used to work.
‘Severe mistake’ to turn Komtar into transport hub, says German urban planner
Most passengers do not have Komtar as their destination and to dedicate huge areas of prime land for platforms of stationed, waiting trains is undesirable, asserts Alex Koenig.
Where is Pastor Raymond Koh?
As people gathered at vigils calling for Pastor Raymond Koh’s release in George Town, Shah Alam and Johor Bharu last night, a CCTV video apparently showing the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh went viral on social media, raising even more questions.
When housing becomes a commodity, a vehicle for wealth growth
What is causing so much dissatisfaction with the housing market? Well, the provision of housing these days in large part, no longer fulfils a social function to provide people with homes within their budget. Instead, it has become a tool of wealth creation – for ‘investors’, financial institutions, speculators, and of course the developers.
Penang Turf Club property development project REJECTED – but …
The Penang Island City Council has REJECTED a massive project at the Penang Turf Club on various grounds – but concerned residents and Penangites are not letting down their guard.
Pulau Jerejak: Would you buy a home on a small island with over 5,000 graves?
Would you buy a home on this island? These graves are on the north-western side of Pulau Jerejak.
According to a historian, there are at least 5,332 graves, most of them from the 7,500 leprosy patients who lived at one time or another on Pulau Jerejak. At least 3,691 of these graves are near the site of the old leprosy hospital on the eastern side of the island.
This hospital was funded largely by the local Chinese community. Frederick Weld, the then Governor of the Straits Settlements observed, “The building is a fine one with a central hall, and long tiled corridors and wards stretching out on either side. It is very cool and well arranged. Rows of coconut trees line the beach, and the view from it is most beautiful.”
When moral outrage is misdirected
This is something I wrote a week ago:
As I write this, the large Pas rally in support of Hadi’s bill was scheduled to take place in KL on 18 February 2017.
While it is well within Pas’ right to hold this rally, its private member’s bill (Hadi’s bill) has raised uneasiness, especially in our plural and multi-religious society.
Priceless treasure: Eerie, enchanting Pulau Jerejak
The ruins of dormitories and leper homes, old reservoirs and undergound chambers, places of worship, jail cells, even a courtroom add an eerie touch to the island’s natural greenery that should be preserved as a state treasure for Penang.
I am appalled and still cannot fathom how, between a federal agency (Uda) and a state agency (PDC), 80 acres (a huge chunk of the flat land) of this national/state treasure could land up with a private developer, Ideal Property (which paid just RM160m for a 49 per cent stake that was previously held by PDC).
Was there any public participation in this decision? Who were involved in the negotiations with Ideal at all stages? Was this matter tabled at the Penang State Assembly for debate?