GEORGE TOWN: The fate of this year's Pesta Pulau Pinang is expected to be decided within the next three weeks.
The state government is considering moving the event temporarily to the north Seberang Perai district.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said discussions were ongoing with the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) over a proposal to hold the annual carnival at a Perda-owned site in Kubang Menerong while construction of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) depot and station takes place at the existing Pesta grounds in Sungai Nibong.
He said the State Finance Office had been tasked with negotiating the proposal.
Chow said the state government had considered three options for the annual event during the construction period.
The first was to suspend the carnival, while the second was to continue organising it on the remaining land at Sungai Nibong not affected by the works.
However, he said the state executive council felt the latter was unsuitable due to safety concerns arising from the construction activities.
"The third option is to hold the Pesta at another location, and we feel the proposal by Perda is more suitable for the interim period," he told reporters at Komtar on Thursday (July 30).
Chow said a decision would have to be made soon to give organisers enough time to prepare.
"We will announce it after the discussions are completed.
"We need to make a final decision within the next one, two or three weeks so there is sufficient time to organise the annual Pesta at the proposed site," he said.
He also said the Pesta component within the proposed Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Sungai Nibong would be significantly smaller than the existing fairgrounds because of the LRT depot, station and other planned developments.
Instead, the draft master plan proposes a permanent Pesta Art and Cultural Centre, public park and entertainment precinct where cultural performances and funfair attractions could be held throughout the year rather than only during the annual carnival.
"The idea is to create a permanent venue where activities can take place throughout the year with the support of the LRT and surrounding developments," he said.
