THE need to identify and manage environmentally sensitive areas is crucial for achieving balanced development based on sustainable development.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told the State Legislative Assembly sitting today that the Penang government plans to introduce two additional special area plans, namely the Padang Tembak Special Area Plan and the Balik Pulau Special Area Plan.
He also revealed that PLANMalaysia@Penang (Penang Town and Country Planning Department) is finalising draft revisions for the Penang Hill Special Area Plan and the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site Special Area Plan, before it can be gazetted.
Chow (PH-Padang Kota) stated that the Penang South Island 2050 Local Plan (RTPSI 2050), under the purview of PLANMalaysia, is progressing well.
“This plan will play a vital role in complementing Penang’s growing economy and what is more impressive is that RTPSI 2050 will be the first local plan to be gazetted in Penang,” Chow said while tabling the Penang 2025 Budget at the State Assembly Building in Light Street today.
On connectivity, Chow noted that 99.98% of 4G coverage has been achieved in residential areas across Penang.
“This reflects the state government’s commitment to the development and delivery of quality infrastructure services to the people.
“We will continue to work closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) in improving the services for the public while aiming a 100% coverage of 4G services at the end of 2024,” he added.
As of October this year, a total of 446 locations in the state have been equipped with 5G coverage by DNB, the sole provider of the fifth-generation (5G) wireless network.
“We are optimistic of completing the coverage across 450 locations at the end of this year, Chow said.
Chow reiterated that the Penang government had introduced several initiatives under the One Stop Centre (OSC) 3.0 Plus, such as the Industrial Green Lane (IGL), Prerequisite (PR), and Self-Regulation (SR), to ensure smooth business operations in the state.
“These initiatives aim to expedite the building plan process, enhance the state’s competitiveness as an investment destination, ultimately boosting the state’s income,” he added.
The Penang Structure Plan 2030 (RSNPP) will further support initiatives like OSC 3.0 Plus to ensure Penang remains dynamic and responsive to development needs.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud