Penang Structure Plan 2030 to include mega-projects, reclamation
Civil society has been struggling for years to get the state to come up with a Penang Structure Plan (PSP).
Now that it has finally seen the light of day, they would be disappointed to know that it includes mega projects that they have strongly opposed...
Civil society has been struggling for years to get the state to come up with a Penang Structure Plan (PSP).
Now that it has finally seen the light of day, they would be disappointed to know that it includes mega projects they have strongly opposed.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said yesterday the Penang Planning Committee had agreed on March 14 to accept and approve the amended draft of the Penang Structure Plan (PSP) 2030, but did so with several conditions.
These conditions include keeping the proposals for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and the Penang South Reclamation (PSR), which involves three artificial islands in Bayan Lepas.
Chow said the state took into account the Penang 2030 agenda and local plans by the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Perai Municipal Council.
"We need to consult with the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) to obtain instructions and advice for the Draft PSP2030 as stipulated in the Town and Country Planning Act (Act 172)," Chow said during a press conference in Komtar.
"After which, this draft has to be submitted to the state executive council to obtain its agreement, according to Subsection 10(6), Act 172," he added.
Chow said the preparation of the PSP2030 reflects the commitment of the state government to ensure its clear direction in development, from now until 2030.
It is also in line with his Penang 2030 vision of “A Family-focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation”.
"The PSP2030 document is jointly owned, which is why the state government hopes it will become a guide and main reference to all in the state administration to ensure that all policies and projects, especially the high impact ones, can be implemented according to the stated time to benefit all Malaysians, especially Penangites," Chow said.
Two months of getting feedback on PSP
In August 2018, the state government had organised two months of publicity and public participation for the PSP, although Act 172 states that only one month is necessary.
Read more: Activists deem public hearings on Penang Structure Plan a 'total farce'
Publicity and public participation on the PSP were then held from Sept 18 to Nov 19 last year, targeting the public and various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society and academics.
Chow said a public hearing session was also heard together with objectors of the PSP, who gave their views to justify why they opposed the plan.
"Public hearings were organised five times, on Feb 13-15, Feb 22 and March 6, and involved 69 people, covering all categories of the plan," he added.
PSP2030 falls under a federal law which requires all states to come up with a 10-year structured plan, renewable every five years.
While the last gazetted plan for Penang was in 2007, PSP2020 did not take off on schedule, with the delay due to the inclusion of the Special Area Plans for George Town and Penang Hill.
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