Local Plan for Penang Island is expected to be ready by December f

THE draft Local Plan for Penang Island is expected to be ready by December following major adjustments to the original plan submitted last year.

With it, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expects the revised version of the Local Plan to be approved by the state and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) by early next year.

Penang has among the oldest city councils in the country, yet it is the only major local government without a legislated Local Plan, which is aimed at regulating town planning and approvals, as well as guiding future development policies.

On the same token, Chow also announced that the sister city council - the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP), is also expected to unveil its Local Plan this year.

Last year, Chow ordered MBPP to rework the island’s first-ever comprehensive development master plan, which had been plagued with numerous errors and inconsistencies.

Errors were also cited for name spellings and technical oversights following some exposes by Penang Forum.

In the past, Local Plans which never made it to the MBPP full council - level for approval, were criticised for the lack of planning for density and the failure to categorise various forms of development.

Chow  wants both city councils to follow the national development plan created by the federal town planning agency, Plan Malaysia, instead of trying to craft their own plans which may run afoul with national standards.

The Batu Kawan MP said this on the sidelines of the state-level World Town Planning Day event here.

Plan Malaysia’s strategy is aligned with the country’s goals to become a smart nation and smart city. 

The blueprint is already there, the states just need to make adjustments for their local needs, said Chow.

Meanwhile, a prominent architect here spoke of his reservations about the proposed Local Plan, as the country has a limited number of experienced and qualified planners.

He said there are also limited planner professionals at the council level, what more at Plan Malaysia.

"A Local Plan should entail planners with the understanding of the historic nature of the localities and the workers' migration patterns, which may affect density and the macro economy of the Penang island," said the architect.

He also said that the Local Plan is now coming at putting the "horse before the cart," because the state has approved mega infrastructure projects without giving due consideration to the town planning aspects.

Penang has approved a light rail transit system, a cable car to Penang Hill, five major highways and extending the island with a mega reclamation project called the Silicon Island.

Without a Local Plan, the development of the island is at best haphazard and counter - productive - which is why the islanders are witnessing severe road congestion and the wrath of mother nature due to climate change, he added.

The architect said that a Local Plan best works if it is designed with input from various levels of society. - October 3, 2024.