GEORGE TOWN: The state government has no specific plans to develop its land on Pulau Jerejak, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said there have been several proposals for mixed development, infrastructure and recreational facilities submitted by private developers.
"The development proposals for the island are currently driven by private initiatives and subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
"An application for a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) for a 0.8ha site to build a bridge linking Persiaran Bayan Indah near Queensbay to Pulau Jerejak was approved in 2023.
"The licence has been renewed annually until 2026, at a fee of RM12,300 a year," he said in a written reply to Joshua Woo (PH - Pulau Tikus) at the Penang State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (Nov 4).
Woo had asked whether the state government or private landowners had plans to develop Pulau Jerejak.
Chow said that any development on the island must meet planning approval and other land matters, as well as technical and legal requirements set by the relevant authorities.
"For now the state does not have any specific plans to develop Pulau Jerejak," he said.
It was reported earlier that construction of a new 1km bridge linking Pulau Jerejak to the main island of Penang, costing RM500mil, would begin this year.
Pulau Jerejak is a small island in the Penang Strait, with about 85% of its total land area gazetted as a forest reserve and protected from development.
