GEORGE TOWN, Dec 16 – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng are launching the online poll for development corridor at Komtar here on Tuesday. He said the State Government, through the PDC, has initiated a development corridor of Southern Seberang Perai from Juru, southwards to Byram/Changkat that encompasses areas in Bukit Minyak, Nibong Tebal and Batu Kawan which includes PDC’s Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang Science Park and Bukit Tengah Industrial Park.
“The catalyst of this development corridor is the RM4.5 billion Sultan Abdul Halim Shah (Second Penang Bridge) which has connected the south of the island to the southern part of the mainland. This concept of development corridor is also in line with PDC’s 5- year Strategic Plan 2016-2020, whereby PDC will look into the creation of new attractive corridors of growth across the State of Penang,” said Lim.
“The strategies will include land acquisition plans, developing master plans for infrastructure and value added programmes in targeted corridors, compiling data and developing stronger capability to support decision making. The overall area involved in this Development Corridor, at Seberang Perai Selatan, is about 30,000 acres (120 sq km) and is bounded by Sg Juru (in the North) and Sg Krian (in the South) and to the east by the Federal Expressway,” he said.
“This Development Corridor has the potential to be developed into a manufacturing, services and commercial/residential hub that will promote economic and social growth. As the State undertakes this programme, it is also our commitment and effort to preserve the eco system, natural habitat historical landmarks and traditional kampungs as heritage kampungs for tourism and homestay,” he added.
Lim also said that the entire programme on the development corridor will take 20 -25 years while the concept of the development will create jobs for all levels of society, and will accelerate economic and population growth. With the development corridor in place, he said the State will emphasise on the infrastructure in terms of connectivity, transport master plan which includes MRT/LRT serving the area.
He also said that the qualities of amenities, services and infrastructure will definitely be an added value to the areas. Meanwhile, he said to get public feedback and engagement, the PDC will carry out an online poll over a 6-month period for the public to choose a suitable name for the development corridor.
Examples of suggested names are Penang Mutiara, Penang Jaya, Penang Raya, Penang Maju, Penang Putra and Mutiara Seberang. The public is also welcomed to suggest any other names that they consider suitable. In the meantime, the online poll will be also available in the PDC and State Websites.