Silicon Island project reflects robust industrial development in Penang, says chief minister
03 May 2023
The Penang South Islands (PSI) sea reclamation project will commence in the third quarter of this year with the construction of Island A, which will be named Silicon Island to reflect the robust industrial development of the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the main development of the project is the Green Tech Park (GTP), the high-technology industrial park which will include research and development (R&D) facilities, as well as digital technology infrastructure, e-commerce and business process outsourcing (BPO).
“GTP and BPO locations are very strategic, near the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, Penang International Airport and Penang Second Bridge or the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday (May 3).
A “Heart of the Island” (Hoti) commercial centre will be constructed in a beautiful waterfront connected by a network of water channels and this icon will become another tourist attraction in the state, he said.
Chow added that both plans were stated in the Silicon Island master plan, which have successfully obtained the 5 Diamond recognition in the design category from the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) in the 2030 Low Carbon City Challenge programme, successfully achieving the target of carbon production reduction by 45%.
The target for the reduction in carbon emissions, according to Chow, will be achieved through various green initiatives, including the planting of mangrove forests which also have the potential to become popular recreation areas for local residents, as well as tourists, the construction of water canals and blue-green network that enable the implementation of water taxis, as well as the adoption of renewable energy in GTP.
“The PSI development will bring many benefits to Penang and the Malaysian economy overall, whereby in the 30-year period, PSI is expected to contribute a positive impact to the gross domestic product of RM2.2 trillion and foreign direct investment of RM70 billion, as well as create more than 460,000 job opportunities in various sectors,” he said.
Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said PSI development will strengthen Penang’s position as one of the global and comprehensive electrical and electronics (E&E) industry hubs.
Farizan said Silicon Island has been carefully planned to fulfil Penang’s future needs based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, and include various sustainability features.
“The main land use of this 2,300-acre island is 30.44% for industry and global business services, 45.3% for public facilities, infrastructure and blue-green network, and 24.26% for housing and commercial,” he said.
He said the long-term targets for GTP include the phase for land development and application for planning and licence submission, expected in 2025, while the construction of factories is projected to commence in 2026 and begin operations in 2027.
Source: Bernama
