PENANG expects the first building on the mammoth RM6 billion reclaimed Silicon Island to be ready by 2026 as about 400 acres of land would be progressively added off the coast of Batu Maung.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said about 700 acres should be firmly established within the next two years and the first building should be completed by 2026.
Silicon Island is the state’s first major reclaimed island. Despite objections from many of the state’s residents, the Penang goverment was adamant that it was necessary in view of the state’s acute shortage of land.
The immediate emphasis is the construction of a light rail transit (LRT) depot there, as the reclaimed island is included in the major route of the proposed LRT, said Chow in a dialogue session with members of the Penang-based Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) at The Marriott in Gurney Drive.
The session was moderated by MSIA secretary Solomon Lorthu, who is also the Penang Motorola CEO.
Chow reassured MSIA members that Penang was working hard to boost its infrastructure in line with its growing reputation and global top ten ranking in supplying electronic components.
He said the LRT remained a top priority for the state despite objections from certain quarters.
Chow also fielded questions about the water supply situation, saying the state was proactive in handling the issue. He urged patience as the state dealt with the consequences of climate change.
“For the next few years, the supply would be under duress as there is a bottleneck of undersea piping which needs to be untangled besides the dry weather,” Chow said in reference to the undersea pipes which were laid decades earlier.
Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation would undertake a pipe replacement programme for up to eight months. With a new water treatment plant in Prai and the intake of treated water from Perak, the water supply issue in Penang was expected to be resolved soon.
Chow added that the state was collaborating with MSIA to help raise the local number of engineers by emphasising the learning of science, technical, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. – July 30, 2024.
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