Penang has launched the publicity and public participation part for its long-term planning blueprint, the Penang Construction Plan 2040 (RSN 2040), marking an necessary step towards shaping the state’s future growth. State govt councillor H’ng Chee Wey emphasised that energetic public participation is crucial, noting that this stage permits stakeholders to voice issues, elevate objections, or suggest enhancements.
In keeping with H’ng, all submissions acquired in the course of the publicity interval shall be evaluated by a devoted panel, guaranteeing that neighborhood enter instantly informs the plan’s refinement. Following this, an extra one-month window shall be allotted for hearings and detailed assessments. “The state goals to finalise and gazette the RSN 2040 by the third quarter of subsequent 12 months,” he stated on the launch occasion held at Komtar.
H’ng additionally supplied updates on associated planning paperwork. The Seberang Prai Native Plan is predicted to be accomplished by the primary quarter of subsequent 12 months, whereas the Penang Island Native Plan stays underneath evaluate and is focused for completion in 2027. The latter requires further assessments after the listening to course of. Each Native Plans will finally be integrated into the RSN 2040 to make sure alignment in growth insurance policies and land-use methods.
Nevertheless, the timeline has raised questions from the state opposition. Opposition chief Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff requested why the RSN 2040 evaluate is being carried out forward of the Native Plans, which include extra detailed planning data. He argued that these granular parts—akin to inhabitants density pointers, parking provisions, site visitors movement issues and flood mitigation parameters—ought to function the inspiration for the broader construction plan.
Fauzi additionally referred to as for an impartial panel {of professional} consultants to be a part of the analysis course of. Such impartial involvement, he stated, would assist guarantee extra strong decision-making and stop recurring growth points which have surfaced up to now.
Responding to issues, H’ng reiterated that RSN 2040 is designed to be inclusive, complete and reflective of Penang’s evolving wants over the subsequent decade. He urged the general public to actively take part and submit suggestions earlier than the Dec 23 deadline.
Stakeholders can evaluate the plan and lodge suggestions or objections by scanning the supplied QR code or visiting any of the 4 exhibition venues: Stage 3 Komtar, Stage 57 Komtar, the Penang Island Metropolis Council (MBPP), and the Seberang Prai Metropolis Council (MBSP).
