Latest news with #PenangDevelopmentCorporation
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Immediate repair works on Batu Kawan Road affected by subsidence
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) has received public complaints regarding road subsidence at P149 Batu Kawan Road yesterday. State Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said initial investigations revealed that the subsidence occurred at the junction between the existing road and a newly constructed bridge. He said the exact cause is still under investigation by PDC and the project contractor. "PDC took immediate temporary action by applying a premix patch to raise the road level and installing warning signs indicating 'uneven road' to prevent accidents. "The contractor will carry out excavation works to identify the cause of the subsidence and subsequently implement permanent repair works using additional materials such as geotextile, basal reinforcement, and other measures to ensure greater road stability so that subsidence does not occur again in the future," he told the New Straits Times. Zairil said all repair costs will be fully borne by the contractor, as the works are still within the Defects Liability Period (DLP). Photos of the affected area have been widely circulated on social media since yesterday, with firefighters seen cordoning off the damaged section of the road.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Soil depression at Jalan Batu Kawan, remedial measures taken by PDC
BATU KAWAN: A soil depression was detected yesterday at P149 Jalan Batu Kawan, specifically at the junction connecting the road to a newly completed bridge, according to Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He said the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and the project contractor. However, immediate remedial measures were taken by PDC upon receiving public complaints. 'PDC promptly carried out premix patching to raise the road level and installed warning signs to prevent any untoward incidents involving road users,' he told Bernama when contacted. He said the contractor will proceed with excavation work to determine the root cause of the soil depression before implementing permanent repair measures, which will involve the use of additional materials such as geotextile, basal reinforcement, and other necessary strengthening methods. 'These actions are essential to ensure long-term road stability and to prevent future soil depression. All repair costs would be borne by the contractor because the project is still within the defects liability period (DLP,' he said. Meanwhile, Assistant Director of the Fire and Rescue Operations Division of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in Penang, John Sagun Francis, said a team of seven members from the Batu Kawan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was sent to the location after the department received a call regarding the soil depression. On arrival, the team found that a soil depression had occurred, but there were no victims involved. Immediate action was taken to close off the affected area and ensure no vehicles were allowed on the compromised section of the road,' he said. The incident gained public attention yesterday after a social media post went viral, showing images of the soil depression along the main road near the Batu Kawan bridge. The post also highlighted visible cracks on the concrete structure dividing the road. Firefighters were seen at the location, placing safety cones and taking precautionary measures to secure the area for road users.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Soil depression at Jalan Batu Kawan, remedial measures taken
BATU KAWAN: A soil depression was detected yesterday at P149 Jalan Batu Kawan, specifically at the junction connecting the road to a newly completed bridge, according to Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He said the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and the project contractor. However, immediate remedial measures were taken by PDC upon receiving public complaints. 'PDC promptly carried out premix patching to raise the road level and installed warning signs to prevent any untoward incidents involving road users,' he told Bernama when contacted. He said the contractor will proceed with excavation work to determine the root cause of the soil depression before implementing permanent repair measures, which will involve the use of additional materials such as geotextile, basal reinforcement, and other necessary strengthening methods. 'These actions are essential to ensure long-term road stability and to prevent future soil depression. All repair costs would be borne by the contractor because the project is still within the defects liability period (DLP,' he said. Meanwhile, Assistant Director of the Fire and Rescue Operations Division of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) in Penang, John Sagun Francis, said a team of seven members from the Batu Kawan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was sent to the location after the department received a call regarding the soil depression. On arrival, the team found that a soil depression had occurred, but there were no victims involved. Immediate action was taken to close off the affected area and ensure no vehicles were allowed on the compromised section of the road,' he said. The incident gained public attention yesterday after a social media post went viral, showing images of the soil depression along the main road near the Batu Kawan bridge. The post also highlighted visible cracks on the concrete structure dividing the road. Firefighters were seen at the location, placing safety cones and taking precautionary measures to secure the area for road users.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Penang CM defends RM3.3mil Camry purchase: 'Old cars cost more'
GEORGE TOWN: After defending the Penang Development Corporation's (PDC) decision to award staff bonuses of up to six months' salary, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has now justified the purchase of 15 new Toyota Camry (AT) (CBU) vehicles for use by his administration. In his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly today, Chow said the new vehicles were acquired to reduce maintenance costs. He said that the state government typically replaced its fleet every six years, with the previous batch purchased in 2019. "The state replaces official vehicles every six years to reduce the rising cost of maintenance," he said. "The previous vehicles are still in use, kept in a pool for officers as needed." However, Chow said that even with the pooled cars, there were still not enough vehicles to meet demand. He said that it was widely recognised that vehicles older than five years with high mileage could pose safety concerns and incur higher maintenance costs. He said the practice of replacing official vehicles every six years began in 2013, and maintenance costs for the ageing fleet had risen significantly. "On average, maintenance for each vehicle assigned to Exco members and officers has reached RM42,144 due to wear-and-tear repairs," he said. "In total, the state has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these vehicles." Chow's administration has faced criticism over the recent purchase, particularly in light of reports highlighting the state's financial constraints. On Tuesday, Chow confirmed the acquisition of 15 new Toyota Camry vehicles, costing a total of RM3.31 million. Of these, 10 were allocated to state executive councillors, three to ex-officio members, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state legislative assembly.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang CM defends bonuses of up to six months for PDC staff
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has defended the decision to grant up to six months' bonus to Penang Development Corporation (PDC) staff. He said the PDC board approved a five-month performance incentive based on the balanced scorecard, which recorded exceptional performance in 2024. He said the performance surpassed the set target of 85%, and only 25% of PDC staff received the highest bonus of six months. "The justification for the performance incentive is based on evaluations, including a pre-tax and zakat profit achievement of RM527.1mil last year compared to RM276.6mil in 2023, representing the highest increase at 91%. "Overall budget performance was excellent, with 104% revenue realisation and 96% expenditure, while early loan prepayment interest savings were estimated at RM8.6mil," he said. Chow added that although PDC had been linked to several controversial land sale and construction projects yet to be completed, these matters were also taken into account. He said PDC management had taken follow-up action to ensure these projects progress as planned. Chow said this in a written reply to Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih). The former chief minister sought clarification on the rationale behind the high bonuses, which were not given by other state government agencies. In a separate matter, Yong told the state assembly that the new Penang land tax rate would take effect from Jan 1, 2026, but state authorities have yet to finalise the rates. He said the Land and Mines Office and all district land offices are reviewing the land tax rates for all registered land titles. This involves 373,109 land titles state-wide and is expected to continue until year-end. "This administration has proposed several options for the new land tax rates to be considered by the state executive council (MMK), which requires further deliberation before approving the new rates," he said. He said this in a written reply to a question by Lee Boon Heng (PH-Kebun Bunga) on the state's land tax rate review status and whether the new rates can be implemented in 2026. Chow, who is also state finance, economic development, land and communications committee chairman, said first-grade land would be included in the tax rate review, with 197,412 first-grade land titles in Penang, representing 52.35% of total land titles. "Currently, first-grade land is taxed based on its use, but the existing rates are considered not reflective of the actual value, resulting in state revenue leakage," he said. – Bernama
