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The Star
14-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Penang embraces pinang revival to reclaim heritage
Left: Sundarajoo (in white) and Baderul Amin (left) watering 'pinang' sapling at the event, with MBSP councillors. Photos: — LIM BENG TATT/The Star THE pinang tree – once so common it gave Penang its name – is getting a big push for a comeback. Locals are welcoming a state plan to plant 100,000 pinang trees across the mainland and island, calling it a meaningful way to restore Penang's natural identity. Technician Mohd Azri Adzemi, 38, said it was a timely move. 'Penangites should be proud of this initiative because we will again have so many pinang trees all over the state to remind everyone of how our state got its name,' he said. Irsyam: The pinang tree is more than just a tree for Penang. Mohd Azri, who lives in Bertam, said the programme would also help beautify Penang and create a greener, more vibrant landscape. Irsyam Ibrahim, 43, said the pinang tree was more than just a tree for Penang. 'Planting many of them across Penang makes perfect sense,' he said. The two were among visitors at Vision Park in Bertam during the weekend, where the 'Pinang Tree Planting' programme was launched in conjunction with the state-level National Landscape Day 2025. About 100 Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) staff and their family members joined in, planting around 50 pinang trees at the park. State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the goal this year was to plant at least 100,000 trees to revive the original identity of Penang. 'With help from both our local councils, we will plant pinang trees in every corner of the state,' he said. He noted the effort was not only about creating visual landmarks at key entry points. 'It's also about filling central medians and roadside verges with pinang trees wherever we can. 'Our hope is to go beyond the 100,000-tree target by the time we celebrate state-level National Landscape Day in October,' he added. Sundarajoo said the tree- planting campaign was meant to reconnect with Penang's roots, not just beautify public spaces. MBSP will meet two-thirds of the planting target, as more land is available on the mainland, while the rest will be handled by Penang Island City Council. Seberang Perai mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said the pinang tree was more than just a landscaping choice. 'It is a symbol of Penang's identity and heritage. 'Planting it is a way of honouring and reviving the origins of our state's name, Pulau Pinang,' he said. He noted the project supported Penang2030 vision to be a green, smart state that is family-focused and nationally inspiring, by balancing physical growth with environmental sustainability. The core aim, Baderul Amin said, was to raise awareness about conservation while greening areas increasingly affected by development. 'It highlights Penang's cultural roots. The pinang tree is an emblem of our state. 'This programme helps reduce our carbon footprint and promotes a shared responsibility to care for the environment,' he added. Penang's name comes from the areca nut palm (Areca catechu), a species that once grew abundantly across the island. Historical accounts say that when Captain Francis Light landed here in 1786, he found the island thick with pinang trees – a detail believed to have inspired the name. Although the British colonial government named it Prince of Wales Island, the local name Pulau Pinang became commonly used. Eventually, the English-speaking world adopted the simplified state name Penang, which refers to both the island and mainland Seberang Perai.
The Star
12-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Penang to reconnect with its roots by planting 100,000 Pinang trees by October
KEPALA BATAS: In celebration of National Landscape Day 2025, Penang is targeting the planting of 100,000 Pinang trees by October. State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said that the state's very name, Pulau Pinang, was derived from the once-abundant Pinang (areca) trees that grew across the island. "This initiative is not just about beautification — it's about reconnecting with our roots and preserving a living symbol of our state identity," he said. To ensure the success of the effort, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) has taken full responsibility to realise this aspiration by officially organising the launch event, in close collaboration with the office of the state housing and environment. Sundarajoo said, for a start, 50 Pinang trees were planted during the launch at Vision Park here on Sunday (July 12). He said MBSP will be responsible for planting two-thirds of the 100,000 Pinang trees, as it has more available land compared to Penang Island. The remaining trees will be planted on the island by the Penang Island City Council.
Focus Malaysia
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy wants Penang EXCO reprimanded for unilateral decision on Indian Muslim housing discount
I CANNOT stop wondering at how the Penang state government could permit an EXCO member to make unilateral announcements without the approval or endorsement of the state executive council (EXCO). I am bewildered that Penang state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo could announce a 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims under the Madani housing scheme without apparent consultation with his other EXCO colleagues. Sundarajoo justified the move on grounds of low participation among Indian Muslims in state housing. But can he furnish data to back this claim? What are the comparative participation rates of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Indian Muslims? He also stated that this discount would not affect allocations for the Malays – yet he seems to overlook the complex identity overlap where some Indian Muslims are classified as Malay/Bumiputera while others maintain their distinct ethnic identity. Has there been any study quantifying the percentage of Indian Muslims who qualify under the Bumiputera category versus those who identify separately? Jumping the gun? Without such data, it's hard to justify a policy decision that could result in dual benefits for a segment of the population, raising questions of fairness and equity. Had this proposal been tabled in an EXCO meeting, its flaws could have been debated and possibly avoided. But instead, Sundarajoo proceeded based on consultations with developers – not the state government – casting doubt on the integrity of Penang's housing policy framework. This was a poor decision made without transparency and without consideration for other equally deserving communities. The policy lacked sound rationale and undermined public confidence. In this regard, I commend Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for stepping in to reverse the decision and broadening the discount to all eligible Malaysians. I urge Chow to go a step further – reprimand Perai state assemblyman Sundarajoo for bypassing proper procedure and acting irresponsibly on a matter of public policy. – June 9, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang CM instructs review of 5% housing discount
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has instructed state housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the 5% housing discount for first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he has instructed Sundarajoo to review the policy with developers to expand the discount to all buyers, making it more inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society in line with the principle of social justice. "Some of the views received suggested that such a discount should also be offered to all buyers to revitalise the property sector, especially in relation to the sale of unsold property units," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 8). Chow stated that the state executive council will also examine the matter and make an appropriate decision in the interest of all parties. On Thursday (June 5), Sundarajoo announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer IndianMuslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign. He added that the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. However, Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim, in a statement on Saturday (June 7), announced that Chow had agreed to suspend the discount offer pending a review by the state executive council, emphasising the importance of upholding social justice and ensuring every Malaysian's right to own a home. The initial policy announced by the state government earlier had been critised by MCA who described the move as racially divisive. State MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah questioned why the Penang government could not base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion, expressing confusion that DAP, a party advocating for a 'Malaysian Malaysia', would introduce such a racially framed initiative. "The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said. He also said by offering the privilege only to Indian Muslims, Yeoh questioned whether it amounted to a new form of racial quota. 'Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background?' he added.
Malay Mail
08-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang to reassess Indian Muslim housing discount, considers extending offer to all buyers, says CM
GEORGE TOWN, June 8 — The Penang state executive council (MMK) will review the five per cent discount offer for first-time homebuyers from the Indian Muslim community in Penang and make an appropriate decision for the benefit of all parties. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he has directed State Housing and Environment Committee chairman, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, to refine the policy with developers to extend the discount to all buyers. He said this is to ensure the policy is more inclusive and benefits all segments of society, in line with the principles of social justice. 'The state government has received various feedback regarding the announcement of the intervention measure to provide a five per cent discount to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold (overhang) property units, as announced by the State Housing and Environment Committee chairman on June 5. 'Some of the feedback and views received suggest that the discount should also be offered to all buyers to stimulate the property sector, particularly the sale of unsold properties or units,' he said in a statement today. On Thursday, Sundarajoo announced a five per cent discount for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of residential and commercial units under the Madani Inclusive Property Sector Catalyst Policy (MOC). This is among several incentives in the policy, effective from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, in addition to introducing a special category, Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) Type D, with a maximum ceiling price of RM400,000, and a reduction in contribution rates for developers who do not physically provide RMKu Type A or B units. The policy is an intervention measure to revitalise the property sector, following discussions and agreement with housing industry stakeholders, taking into account the increasingly concerning oversupply of non-affordable units in Penang. According to the Penang Property Market Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, issued by the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), a total of 2,796 residential units have been identified as unsold, involving various types of residential properties across the state. — Bernama
