‘Display Penang Island’s draft local plan in more areas for better public feedback’

GEORGE TOWN – Civil society groups in Penang want the state government to hold the public display of the island’s proposed local plan in more public locations.

Penang Forum, the umbrella body of civil societies here, together with the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), made the call, saying more citizens should have access to the plan that directs land use and development.

The local plan is currently displayed at two sites – the Syed Alatas Mansion in Armenian Street and Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) MakerSpace room in the Balik Pulau community hall.

It should be displayed in at least five more locations that are more convenient for ratepayers to view, especially those who live in densely populated areas, said Penang Forum spokesmen Lim Mah Hui and Khoo Salma Nasution.

CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader as well as the Tg Bungah Residents’ Association chairman Zulfikar Abdul Aziz also supported the call.

Lim said the local plan needs feedback from ratepayers as they would be affected by the plan, which was released last week by the state government after a two-decade delay.

“This is one area in which Penang does not lead. We are the first to be among the last councils to unveil a local plan,” Lim told a press conference.

He added that MBPP should simplify the plan so that it is easy for ratepayers, as laymen, to understand what it entails.

“There are too many technical terms inserted in the draft so the average person may find it difficult to comprehend,” Lim said.

Khoo, meanwhile, said MBPP has to be meticulous in its planning because of the restrictions on several of Penang’s unique settings and conservation areas.

The inner parts of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage Site are restricted in the height of new and present buildings, she said.

Penang Hill, meanwhile, has to consider its Unesco Biosphere status, while Teluk Bahang has forest reserve status, and Bukit Mertajam as well as other parts of the state on the mainland are farming zones.

“So the local authorities need to be careful in all planning aspects,” said Khoo.

Penang is also under great pressure to mitigate the traffic congestion it now faces from a growing boom in vehicle usage here, as well as from the return of tourism. – The Vibes, October 27, 2022