Penang on track for large scale projects, pledge effective traffic management

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has assured that effective traffic management strategies will be implemented to minimise disruptions during the construction of upcoming large scale projects.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the projects including Penang South Islands (PSI) project, the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway may cause temporary traffic congestion but it is a part of the development process.
'Many years ago when our team visited Gamuda in Kuala Lumpur, where they were at that time implementing the LRT project, we were introduced to the various traffic management strategies and a program that they managed at that time during the construction phase.
'I believe all contractors appointed for this massive project in Penang will take note of traffic dispersal and the key consideration is to maintain the number of lanes during construction, despite having to take away certain parts of the roads away from the vehicles, additional space would have to be created so that the original number of lanes will be retained,' he said.
Chow said this while responding to questions during the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Northern Annual Luncheon Dialogue 2025, here today and also attended by MICCI Northern Branch Chairman Datuk Brian Tan Guan Hooi together with 200 attendees from various industries and related sectors.
With a proper traffic management and patience from all road users, Chow is confident the state government will be able to mitigate and make travelling more comfortable despite the congestion.
He also confirmed that the Penang LRT project is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion projected within six to seven years, while the Juru–Sungai Dua Elevated Highway is scheduled to commence by the end of the year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in tabling Budget 2025 on Oct 18 last year, announced several projects in Penang, including the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Highway, Mutiara Line LRT, the expansion of Penang International Airport (LTAPP) and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project.
The 29.5-kilometre Mutiara Line LRT will feature 21 strategically located stations and is designed to enhance connectivity between Penang Island and the mainland, reduce road congestion, and improve overall accessibility.
Meanwhile, Chow also noted that the state-led PSI project continues to make progress with some 60.71 hectares of land already reclaimed over the past 18 months.
He said the state government is awaiting 'good news' from the federal government regarding the incentive packages for potential purchasers of the land for industrial development.
PSI or Silicon Island, with a land area of 930.78 hectares, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Sun

8 hours ago

• The Sun

RM1.5 million PHEKS grant approved for Northern Zone unions

BUTTERWORTH: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. 'Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved,' he said. 'I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions,' he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim added that his ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the MADANI Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) under the KESUMA to support union-related activities. Trade unions may apply for assistance under five designated clusters: Training and Education; Trade Union Movement Studies; Academic Writing on Labour Issues; purchase of IT equipment such as for the digitalisation of union management records.

New Straits Times

9 hours ago

• New Straits Times

HR Ministry approves RM1.5mil for northern trade unions

BUTTERWORTH: The Human Resources Ministry has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. "Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved," he said. "I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions," he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim said the ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the Madani Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS), under the HR Ministry, to support union-related activities. Trade unions may apply for assistance under these designated clusters: training and education; trade union movement studies; academic writing on labour issues; purchase of IT equipment and the digitalisation of union management records.

Barnama

10 hours ago

• Barnama

KESUMA Approves RM1.5 Million For Northern Zone PHEKS

BUTTERWORTH, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. 'Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved,' he said. 'I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions,' he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim added that his ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the MADANI Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) under the KESUMA to support union-related activities.