THE eagerly awaited Penang Hill Cable Car project has officially started with the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Penang Botanic Gardens in George Town today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the groundbreaking ceremony.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, also present at the ceremony, described it as a historic day for the state after years of meticulous planning.
“Nevertheless, I am glad that today we are ready to move from the planning and design stages to the physical works.
“The Penang Hill Cable Car project is slated to improve connectivity and accessibility to Penang Hill, transforming it into a must-visit historic landmark.
“It will be an additional iconic tourist attraction in Penang Hill, similar to the Penang Hill funicular service.
“The project will serve as an alternative mode of transportation up the hill, especially during emergencies, and will enhance visitors’ appreciation of Penang Hill’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
“Additionally, it will help manage tourist traffic load, particularly during peak seasons. The project will also enhance and beautify the Penang Botanic Gardens area, benefiting both locals and visitors with improved infrastructure, landscaping, and green spaces for recreation,” said Chow in his speech.
The state government, through the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), is the project owner for the Penang Hill Cable Car project.
Hartasuma, a pioneer in the Malaysian rail industry, has been awarded a 30-year concession for the Penang Hill Cable Car through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on a design, finance, build, operate, and transfer (DFBOT) basis.
The company has appointed Austria-based ropeway market leader, Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbHfor, to supply the cable car system.
Doppelmayr boasts an unrivalled track record with over 15,400 ropeway installations worldwide, including 86 cable car installations located in Unesco heritage, geopark, and biosphere sites, as well as various national parks around the world.
The Request For Proposal to solicit the best proposal for the Penang Hill Cable Car service was issued on Jan 13, 2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restricted movement control orders, the validity period was extended to Nov 30, 2022.
On Dec 14, 2022, a media conference was held in the presence of Hartasuma’s executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon to announce that Hartasuma Sdn Bhd has been awarded the Penang Hill Cable Car project.
Hartasuma will invest at least RM245 million in the project.
According to Chow, the Penang Hill Cable Car project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.
“The cable car alignment will start from the garden station located at the existing Economic Garden (Taman Ekonomi) in Penang Botanic Gardens and end at the summit of Penang Hill, behind the Penang Hill Police Station.
“The cable car line is 2.73 kilometres long and will feature 50 eight-seater gondolas, with a ride time of less than 10 minutes. All key infrastructure within the development is committed to Green Building Index (GBI) Gold certification.
“In short, the cable car will serve as a gateway to the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, catalysing the transformation of Penang Hill and its surrounding areas.
“The Penang government’s involvement in this project underscores our commitment to preserving Penang Hill for future generations while growing the local economy through sustainable tourism,” said Chow.
Meanwhile, Ravindran said for seamless connectivity, the cable car and funicular stations at the summit are less than a five-minute walk apart.
“We will also introduce an electric feeder bus service linking the Botanic Gardens ground station with the Air Itam funicular station. This integration will create a cohesive transit loop, allowing visitors the option of experiencing the hill comprehensively.
“After all, the introduction of this cable car system represents more than just a new mode of ferrying visitors up and down Penang Hill. It is a pivotal step in reenergising this much-loved treasure.
“We aim to be a key partner to PHC and the many entities operating here, to transform Penang Hill into a vibrant destination that celebrates its ecology, while supporting local communities and creating new economic opportunities for Penang,” he said.
Anwar commended the Penang government, PHC and Hartasuma for all the meticulous work done to ensure that the cable car project could be implemented.
He urged Hartasuma to ensure that the cable car project is culturally vibrant and environmentally friendly, as Penang Hill attracts millions of visitors locally and abroad due to its unique tourism destination.
“This includes measures to minimise environmental impact, such as careful planning and initiatives to preserve local wildlife and plant species.
“Ecologically friendly construction practices such as the hand-dug caisson method, the use of energy-efficient technology, and continuous environmental monitoring must be observed throughout the project,” said Anwar.
On a separate matter, Anwar also announced that the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) expansion project is expected to start this year.
He also announced that the Penang LRT project will start as soon as possible.
Anwar said these projects will not only turn Penang into a premier tourism destination but also as a unique industrial state.
Also present during the groundbreaking ceremony were Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia Andreas Launer, Penang State Secretary Datuk Rosli Isa, Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also the Bagan MP, Kebun Bunga assemblyman Lee Boon Heng, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi