THE construction works of the 17,800sq m banquet hall in Ampang Jajar, Butterworth is expected to be completed on Dec 3 this year.
Penang Development Corporation (PDC) deputy general manager Datuk Yeoh Lean Huat said initially the work on the project was supposed to end in the middle of this year but has to be delayed due to several technical issues.
“Among the technical issues that we faced are to instal an additional ducting support in the main building (main hall) and carry out some external works including the relocation of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) utilities involving underground cables, concrete pillars and others on a nearby road.
“This also includes the road upgrading works from the two-lane to four-lane road in Jalan Permatang Pauh Lama near the construction site.
“There is no denying that the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) is also one of the main reasons contributing to the delay of the project.
“As of now, the project is 78 percent complete and since we can operate at full force now, we are confident of doing our best to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time,” Yeoh told Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during his visit to the site today.
Dubbed as the biggest multi-purpose hall in Seberang Perai, the RM42.6mil double-storey air-conditioned banquet hall was announced in 2017 and is fully funded by PDC.
Lumson Bina Engineering Sdn Bhd is the main contractor for the project.
When completed, the hall will be fully equipped with plenty of accommodations and facilities such as three ballrooms which could accommodate a total of 360 tables, a stage and four function rooms, two separate kitchens, 600 parking lots for cars and 400 lots for motorcycles and many more.
Chow said he hoped that PDC and the main contractor would work very hard to ensure that the project would be completed on time.
“Hopefully, when all the technical issues have been resolved, the project can be completed within the deadline given.
“This is important because the new banquet hall will play an important part to stimulate the economy and tourism activities in Seberang Perai and its surrounding areas.
“Apart from holding a wedding reception, the hall can be used to organise meetings, conferences and exhibitions.
“Thus, this project will bring huge benefits to the Seberang Perai community through the accommodations and infrastructure provided,” he said.
According to Chow, the Penang government is also constantly monitoring all the ongoing infrastructure projects in the state.
“We understand that during the MCO, many state infrastructure projects have been delayed.
“Thus, I urged all heads of respective state government agencies to play their roles to expedite the completion works especially involving crucial projects such as road upgrading works, flood mitigation projects and other projects that are deemed important to the public.
“This is because any delay from such projects will cause a negative impact to the people,” Chow added.
Also present at the site were state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, Lumson Bina Engineering group managing director Ung Kok Hin, Lumson Bina Engineering safety and health officer Bhaskaran Arunasalam, former PDC general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar and MBSP councillor Khong Chee Seong.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Law Suun Ting