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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang defends condo plan amid outcry over Boon Siew Villa demolition [WATCH]
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has confirmed that all technical and safety requirements have been met for a luxury condominium project along Jalan Batu Ferringhi, despite public concern over traffic congestion and safety in the area. The Ascott Residences project, which will comprise 99 units of high-end condominiums on a narrow stretch of road near a bend, was approved on Nov 20, last year. State Local Government Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said the building plan, together with all conditions set by all technical departments, including the Fire and Rescue Department, was subsequently approved on April 9, this year. This comes after Sahabat Alam Malaysia honorary secretary S. Mageswari told the New Straits Times that they are very concerned that yet another condominium project would be built in Batu Ferringhi. She said SAM believes that development projects such as this should not be approved without a Local Plan to ensure that development and land use planning are properly managed with proper accountability and transparency. "This begs the question of how these projects are being approved by the Penang Island City Council. "Were safety aspects, traffic, density, setback areas to protect the natural shoreline, and environmental considerations taken into account?" she asked. H'ng, in response to concerns about worsening traffic congestion along the already busy Jalan Batu Ferringhi, said the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) was conducted and approved on Jan9, this year. "One of the key technical departments involved in the planning approval process is the Fire and Rescue Department, and its conditions must be strictly adhered to. "The building plan has been approved, including the conditions imposed by the Fire and Rescue Department," he told the New Straits Times. The New Straits Times reported today that Penang's rich heritage has once again suffered a blow with the loss of one of its iconic landmarks. The Boon Siew Villa, once a majestic coastal home at Shamrock Beach in Jalan Batu Ferringhi, has been demolished to make way for a luxury development. Hoarding has been erected around the site, and a construction crew has moved in to begin building the 43-storey Ascott Residences Batu Ferringhi condominium project. The loss was felt not just by the people who lived near the villa, which stood as a symbol of old Penang, but also heritage advocates who saw it as another blow to the state's historical landscape. Meanwhile, local historian, former Penang Island City Council councillor, and content creator John Oh expressed sadness over the loss of yet another iconic building, even as he acknowledged the need for development and a strong property industry in Penang. He said, although the villa represents only a recent chapter of 'postwar urban history,' the tragedy associated with it and the stories surrounding the house, familiar to the recent generation, are almost reminiscent of the mysteries found in the novels of Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. "Recognising the significance of this building, when we received information of the development, we decided to do a tribute content on the building so that the stories and memories of this iconic house may be preserved for the future. "We believe we are the last to document the account of the villa before its demolition," he said.
Barnama
23-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
Penang Reviewing Land Issue Threatening Future Of 4PAWS Shelter
GENERAL GEORGE TOWN, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is reviewing concerns raised by the Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) over land issues that threaten the future of the Penang Animal Welfare Society (4PAWS) shelter in Teluk Bahang. State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said that while no decision has been made yet, the land currently occupied by 4PAWS is under lease until 2030. The organisation is currently working to raise funds to purchase the site. 'In February and March, 4PAWS, through its manager Yan Naung Thet, also known as Murugan, approached the state government and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to seek assistance in extending his stay in Malaysia, allowing him to continue volunteering at the shelter. 'At that time, the founder of 4PAWS, Barbara Janssen, was unwell, and discussions centred solely on ensuring continuity of shelter operations, not on the lease issue,' he told Bernama. H'ng was responding to SAFM's call for the state government to intervene and help resolve the land dispute affecting the shelter, which houses around 700 dogs. Earlier, SAFM president R. Kalaivanan said that over 700 dogs at the 4PAWS shelter are at risk of losing their home as the landowner intends to sell the property. The organisation has been given until the end of this month to decide whether it can purchase the land at the price of RM2.2 million. SAFM has appealed to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to urgently allocate permanent land to ensure the shelter's continued operation. H'ng added that 4PAWS is a non-governmental organisation providing sanctuary to stray dogs in Teluk Bahang. The shelter has also contributed to MBPP's efforts to manage the stray dog population by caring for animals that have been vaccinated, neutered, and made available for adoption.
The Star
23-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Penang reviewing land issue threatening animal shelter with over 700 dogs
GEORGE TOWN: Penang is looking into concerns raised by the Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) over land issues that threaten the future of the Penang Animal Welfare Society (4PAWS) shelter in Teluk Bahang. State local government and town and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said that while no decision has been made yet, the land currently occupied by 4PAWS is under lease until 2030. The organisation is currently working to raise funds to purchase the site. "In February and March, 4PAWS, through its manager Yan Naung Thet, also known as Murugan, approached the state government and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to seek assistance in extending his stay in Malaysia, allowing him to continue volunteering at the shelter. "At that time, the founder of 4PAWS, Barbara Janssen, was unwell, and discussions centred solely on ensuring continuity of shelter operations, not on the lease issue," he said. H'ng was responding to SAFM's call for the state government to intervene and help resolve the land dispute affecting the shelter, which houses around 700 dogs. Earlier, SAFM president R. Kalaivanan said that over 700 dogs at the 4PAWS shelter are at risk of losing their home as the landowner intends to sell the property. The organisation has been given until the end of this month to decide whether it can purchase the land at the price of RM2.2mil. SAFM has appealed to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to allocate permanent land to ensure the shelter's continued operation. H'ng added that 4PAWS is a non-governmental organisation providing sanctuary to stray dogs in Teluk Bahang. The shelter has also contributed to MBPP's efforts to manage the stray dog population by caring for animals that have been vaccinated, neutered, and made available for adoption. "4PAWS is not registered with the local authorities, as the registration of animal shelters falls under the jurisdiction of the Veterinary Services Department and the Animal Welfare Board," he said. - Bernama
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
No plans to gazette Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary, says Penang govt
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has no plans to gazette the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary, citing potential complications for ongoing and future development projects in the area. State Local Government Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye (DAP - Jawi) said designating the Middle Bank as an environmentally sensitive area would trigger stricter regulations, including the need for a Second Schedule Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for any project within a 500m radius. "This will affect several planned projects nearby, including the Penang Port expansion," he said in a written reply to Lee Khai Loon (PKR - Machang Bubuk) at the ongoing state legislative assembly sitting. Lee had asked about the implications of the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project on the Middle Bank. He questioned whether the state had an exit strategy in case the project fails. Penang had approved the reclamation of 70 acres of sea near the Jelutong landfill to serve as a work platform for a RM1 billion rehabilitation effort. In March, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had reassured the public that the proposed land reclamation project near Karpal Singh Drive and the restoration works at the Jelutong landfill would not encroach upon the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary. He said that the state government had taken precautions to ensure the proposed development would not affect the sanctuary. H'ng said the landfill, once an open dumping ground, posed serious safety risks. H'ng also confirmed that the joint development agreement would be cancelled if the project could not proceed. He, however, cautioned that a new developer could only be appointed after a legal process lasting three to five years, with the risk of claims or legal action from the existing developer. The Middle Bank, located in the South Channel between Penang island and the mainland, spans approximately 10 sq km and hosts the only seagrass bed in the Strait of Malacca. A study has identified 429 species of flora and fauna in the area, including marine mammals, birds, turtles, and fish. The landfill rehabilitation has yet to begin and is pending EIA approval from the Department of Environment (DoE), which issued a public notice on the project in February. The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) signed the agreement for the project with PLB Engineering Bhd in 2020. Project Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee chairperson AD Chandrasekaran had recently expressed concerns based on scientific evidence suggesting that the Middle Bank's marine ecosystem could be harmed by the project.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang to add 100 MyKiosks to existing 80
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government plans to apply for 100 more MyKiosk units due to high demand from traders following the deployment of the initial 80 units in the state. State local government, town and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye also refuted claims that the kiosks were 'white elephants' as alleged by certain parties. "The Penang City Council received an offer for the kiosks under the Housing and Local Government Ministry's programme in 2022 and submitted an official application to build 45 units, with 35 units approved in 2023 costing RM15,000 a unit," he told reporters after inspecting five kiosks at Miami Beach near here on Sunday (May 18). He also informed that all 35 kiosks under the council were placed at 10 locations, with 32 of them occupied, and the remaining three kiosks - at Padang Tembak Complex and Kota Selera Complex - would house unlicensed traders in the area. The remaining 45 kiosks are in areas under the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), with 30 located in Taman Robina, five in Vision Park in Bertam and 10 in South Seberang Perai, H'ng said, adding that they received RM690,000 in allocations from the ministry for the units. "Rental rates for kiosks under the council are RM145 monthly including licence fees of RM45 while for MBSP it is RM120 a month. "Currently demand is very high and we will prioritise unlicensed roadside hawkers so they can conduct their businesses legally," he added. - Bernama
