Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has reassured stakeholders that the state possesses enough industrial land reserves to help financial growth for the following 10 to fifteen years, regardless of widespread considerations over land shortage.
Talking on the launch of the Penang State Industrial Grasp Plan 2030 at Eastin Lodge in Bayan Lepas, Chow highlighted that the state’s growth technique is tailor-made to fulfill the distinctive calls for of every business, moderately than adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy comparable to vertical growth.
“It relies on the business,” Chow mentioned. “We have already got enough land deliberate to accommodate industrial manufacturing capability for the following decade or extra.”
He revealed that over 2,000 acres of commercial land are at present in numerous phases of planning and growth, together with land acquisition, reclamation, and request-for-proposal (RFP) workouts. With an annual demand of about 100 acres, he famous that land provide is greater than enough. For example, he cited the Batu Kawan Industrial Park, which spanned 1,000 acres and has supported industrial development for almost 15 years since 2008.
“Not all buyers require new land. Many broaden present services or favor to maneuver into ready-built factories for quicker setup,” Chow added. He identified a rising non-public sector pattern of growing such factories for lease or sale, significantly to fulfill the expectations of fast-moving overseas buyers, together with these from China.
Whereas land gross sales herald comparatively low direct income, Chow emphasised that the long-term worth lies in attracting high quality investments, which is spearheaded by the Malaysian Funding Growth Authority (MIDA).
He additionally underscored the significance of a holistic industrial ecosystem, stressing that infrastructure should transcend land. “Industrial growth requires entry to utilities, expert expertise, provide chains, and environment friendly transport,” he mentioned.
On overseas labour, Chow reaffirmed the state’s dedication to accountable planning. Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQs) shall be launched inside or near industrial zones to offer correct housing for overseas employees. “We is not going to permit overseas employees to remain in residential housing areas, as this isn’t permitted underneath the legislation,” he said.
The grasp plan aligns with Penang’s broader imaginative and prescient underneath the State Construction Plan 2030 (RSNPP2030), aiming to place the state as a sensible, sustainable, and globally aggressive industrial hub.
