THE Penang state government’s plan to develop a seaside pocket park in Tanjung Bungah has prompted tensions among residents, with assemblyperson Zairil Khir Johari urging the public not to fall for misinformation suggesting the project is for luxury housing.
“The work which is underway is simply to erect a small park for the residents to enjoy,” Zairil said in a statement, responding to reports that some locals are planning a protest against the project.
The demonstration, organised by the Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association and led by chairperson Zulfikar Abdul Aziz, will see hundreds of residents gather near the M Social Resort, adjacent to The Cove condominiums.
The protest emerges despite a Federal Court ruling that dismissed an appeal by 49 condominium owners seeking to overturn the rezoning of an adjacent parcel of land, which had been rezoned from a marina centre to a business zone. The court also ordered the applicants to pay RM60,000 in costs.
The land, acquired by Lone Pine Residence Sdn Bhd in 2015, was approved for redevelopment in 2021, with plans for serviced apartments and a wellness centre restricted to retirement and health suites.
Residents have voiced concerns over the environmental and cultural impact, claiming the area — once a celebrated coastal green space — has been left “a barren scar — fenced off from the very public who had called for its preservation.”
“The trees that once softened the coastline and provided shade to families, joggers, and birdlife have all been cut down. What remains is a barren scar,” said the residents, adding that “the loss is not just environmental — it is cultural, emotional, and irreversible.”
The dispute highlights broader tensions between state authorities’ development plans and local calls for public consultation under the Penang Structure Plan, particularly in eco-sensitive areas such as Tanjung Bungah. - November 1, 2025
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