GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) will take full control of the proposed Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2 (BKIP2) development in Byram after multiple Request for Proposal (RFP) processes failed to be finalised, says Chow Kon Yeow.
The Chief Minister said the decision was made by the PDC board of directors on July 20, with the state agency now set to develop its approximately 526ha (1,300acres) land in phases.
"In regards to BKIP 2, it went to tender three times but was not successful due to various reasons which is why PDC has decided to take charge of the project.
"The PDC board of directors have agreed to take full control of the development," he said when responding to questions on the status of the project during a press conference after attending the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Northern Region Annual Luncheon Dialogue Session held at St Giles Wembley Hotel in George Town, here on Thursday (July 30).
Chow said PDC would have full control of the development and plans to make about 80.9ha (200acres) of land available each year to meet the demands of investors.
"It will be done in phases and will be ongoing.
"With regard to land costs, they have to be calculated based on the current market price.
"This is because land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (for the development of the new industrial park) is based on current prices, unlike the earlier Batu Kawan land acquisitions in the early 1990s, when the land cost only a few sen," he said.
He said the phased development approach would enable PDC to ensure there is sufficient industrial land reserve to meet investors' demand over the next three to five years.
"The bridge linking the development area must be completed first to support the overall development of the industrial park," he said.
On a separate note Chow said the planned private-sector development on Pulau Jerejak is set to move forward.
"The construction of a bridge linking the Pulau Jerejak to the Bayan Lepas (the Queensbay area) is set to begin.
"The bridge was approved several years and forms part of a development project involving 32.3ha (80acres) of land on Pulau Jerejak.
"The project does not encompass the entire island but only the parcel of land that was previously jointly owned by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) Holdings Berhad and PDC.
"It is a private sector development.
"The bridge will connect the Queensbay area to Pulau Jerejak and is expected to be completed by 2028 or 2029," he said.
