Silicon Island

Silicon Island
Native name:
Pulau Silikon
Map
Geography
LocationStrait of Malacca
Coordinates5°15′36.12″N 100°16′7.37″E / 5.2600333°N 100.2687139°E / 5.2600333; 100.2687139
Administration
State Penang
City George Town
DistrictSouthwest
MukimBayan Lepas

Silicon Island is a man-made islet currently under reclamation off the southern coast of Penang Island in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is located 350 m (1,150 ft) off the shoreline of Penang Island and lies within the jurisdiction of George Town.

Ongoing reclamation works for Silicon Island began in 2023 as part of a joint venture between the Penang state government and Malaysian conglomerate Gamuda Berhad. Part of the Penang South Islands (PSI) master plan, Silicon Island will cover an area of 2,300 acres (930 ha) and is intended to serve as an extension of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (Bayan Lepas FIZ).[1] Reclamation of the islet is targeted to be completed by 2032.

History

Background

Silicon Island c. 2023
Silicon Island c. 2024

In 2015, the Penang state government announced the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) to upgrade the state's transportation infrastructure.[2] However, funding the PTMP became a contentious issue, as at that point, Penang was an opposition state governed by the Pakatan Rakyat bloc (now Pakatan Harapan).[3][4] The Najib Razak administration had ignored requests by the state government to fund new public transport infrastructure within Penang.[3][5] To finance the PTMP, it was originally proposed that the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) be granted reclamation rights for 1,500 acres (610 ha) of land around Gazumbo Island in the Penang Strait.[4][6] However, the state government subsequently retracted the proposal due to concerns about the potential ecological impact on the area.[4][7]

In November that year, Chow Kon Yeow, who was the Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Executive Councillor, confirmed that the southern coast of Penang Island had been identified for land reclamation to fund the PTMP. Reclamation of the area was projected to bring a five-fold economic multiplier effect, estimated at RM100 billion, and would provide additional space for any expansion of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (Bayan Lepas FIZ).[4]

SRS Consortium, consisting of Gamuda Berhad as the majority shareholder, Penang-based Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Ideal Property Development, was appointed as the PDP for the PTMP.[8] Following the appointment, the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) scheme was introduced, involving the reclamation of three islets off southern Penang Island.[9][10] The reclaimed islets would be fully owned by the state government and auctioned off to finance the PTMP.[11] The state government estimated that the sale of the reclaimed islets could generate RM70 billion in revenue and cover the cost of PTMP.[3]

Receiving government support

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the PSR was submitted to federal regulators in 2017. The EIA was rejected in 2018 due to shortcomings in the Fisheries Impact Assessment (FIA).[12]

The PSR became a political issue during the elections that year, with the incumbent Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government – led by Najib – opposing the reclamation project on the grounds of safeguarding the livelihoods of affected fishermen.[13] The PSR, along with the PTMP, was included in Pakatan Harapan's (PH) 68-point election manifesto for Penang.[14] Following PH's electoral victory, there was an expectation that the PSR and PTMP would both receive federal approval.[15][16]

A revised EIA was submitted in 2019 and subsequently granted conditional approval by federal regulators, which included an 18-point advisory aimed at mitigating potential impacts on the local community.[4][12] In 2020, the PSR was rebranded as the Penang South Islands (PSI).[17] Concurrently, a design competition was held, which was won by a multidisciplinary team that included Bjarke Ingels Group, Hijjas Kasturi Associates and Ramboll.[18][19]

Opposition and political tussle

Nevertheless, opposition from some fishermen and special interest groups persisted, leading to an appeal to the federal Department of Environment (DOE).[4] Opponents of the PSI also aligned themselves with the right-wing Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to pressure the state government to abandon the PSI.[20] In 2021, the DOE rescinded its approval for the PSI's EIA.[21] The state government, in response, sought a judicial review to contest the DOE's decision, while preparing a revised EIA for approval.[22]

The federal election in 2022 resulted in a unity government headed by PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim. In April 2023, federal regulators regranted approval for the PSI, after which the state government withdrew its appeal for judicial review.[23] In May, Prime Minister Anwar announced federal funding to expedite the development of the Mutiara LRT, one of the key components of the PTMP.[24] Following the allocation of federal funds, the state government, under Chief Minister Chow, decided to scale down the PSI from three to one islet.[25] The remaining islet was rebranded as "Silicon Island".[26][27]

Ahead of the 2023 state election, Perikatan Nasional, of which PAS is a member, pledged to scrap the PSI if elected to power.[28] Ultimately, a PH–BN coalition retained control of the state government.[29]

Reclamation works

Reclamation of Silicon Island commenced in September 2023, employing hydraulic sand fill along with prefabricated vertical drains and surcharge for ground treatment.[30][31] The islet is being reclaimed to a minimum elevation of 3 m (9.8 ft) above sea level to mitigate the effects of high tides and storm surges.[32] As of December 2024, 28 hectares (69 acres) of land had been created, with land designated for the Mutiara LRT depot expected to be completed by the end of 2025.[33][34] State government officials have set a reclamation target of 300 to 400 acres annually starting in 2025, with the islet expected to be fully reclaimed by 2032.[1][34]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ong, K.H. (9 Aug 2024). "First factory expected on Silicon Island by 2027". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  2. ^ Opalyn Mok (14 Aug 2015). "Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan". Malay Mail. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Opalyn Mok (27 Jun 2019). "So what exactly is the Penang Transport Master Plan and how is it being funded?". Malay Mail. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Azhar, Kamarul (27 Aug 2020). "Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout". The Edge. Retrieved 29 Mar 2024.
  5. ^ "RMK-11, permohonan P. Pinang tidak dilayan – KM". Buletin Mutiara (in Malay). 1 Jun 2015. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  6. ^ Yasin, Zulfigar; Aileen Tan, Shau Hwai; Anisah Lee; Woo, Sa Pinn; Razali, Norhanis (20 Jul 2023). "Protecting Penang's Marine Biodiversity: Establishing the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary (MBMS)" (PDF). Penang Institute. 24.
  7. ^ Afandi, Aishah; Jennifer Tham (29 Nov 2015). "Gazette Middle Bank to protect marine life". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  8. ^ Opalyn Mok (14 Aug 2015). "Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan". Malay Mail. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  9. ^ Opalyn Mok (14 Aug 2015). "Local consortium wins bid for RM27b Penang transportation plan". Malay Mail. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  10. ^ Opalyn Mok (3 Oct 2022). "Penang South Reclamation project discussed by state excos every week, says CM". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  11. ^ Yimie Yong (2 Dec 2015). "Penang LRT construction work to start in 2018". The Edge. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  12. ^ a b Opalyn Mok (19 Apr 2019). "Penang South Reclamation project's EIA rejected last year, says CM". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  13. ^ "Fate of Penang Transport Master Plan hangs in the balance (Updated)". The Sun. 26 Aug 2017. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  14. ^ Amarthalingam, Sangeetha (27 Apr 2018). "Penang Pakatan sticks to undersea tunnel, LRT in manifesto". The Edge. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  15. ^ "Penang at the crossroads of success: PCCC". The Sun. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  16. ^ Gooi, Hsiao Leung. "Enabling Decentralisation and Improving Federal-State Relations in the Federation of Malaysia" (PDF). Penang Institute: 29–31.
  17. ^ "Official commencement of the Masterplan Design Competition". Chief Minister of Penang. 16 Jan 2020. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  18. ^ Leonard Ng, Keok Poh. "Penang South Islands". Ramboll. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  19. ^ Harrouk, Christele (21 Aug 2020). "BIG, Hijjas and Ramboll Win International Competition to Design a Master Plan for Penang South Islands, Malaysia". ArchDaily. Retrieved 15 Dec 2024.
  20. ^ "Revoke permit for Penang South Reclamation project, PAS urges minister". Free Malaysia Today. 19 Jun 2020. Retrieved 30 Oct 2024.
  21. ^ Sinnappan, Arulldas (8 Sep 2021). "Penang fishermen win appeal in move that may frustrate reclamation project". The Vibes. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  22. ^ Opalyn Mok (31 Aug 2022). "State govt submits new EIA for Penang South Reclamation project even as judicial review application hits snag". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  23. ^ Ho, Kit Yen (19 Oct 2023). "With final approval granted, Penang govt withdraws appeal over PSI". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  24. ^ McIntyre, Ian (6 May 2023). "Putrajaya to provide additional funds for Penang's LRT: Anwar". The Vibes. Retrieved 29 Mar 2024.
  25. ^ Christopher Tan (11 May 2023). "Penang South Islands project scaled down to one island – Silicon Island". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 31 Mar 2024.
  26. ^ Alis Haizan, Rhea Yasmine (11 May 2023). "Controversial Penang reclamation project downsized from 3 islands to 1". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  27. ^ "Silicon Island project reflects robust industrial growth". The Star. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  28. ^ Nambiar, Predeep (4 Aug 2023). "Penang South Island project will be scrapped if PN takes over, says Lau". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  29. ^ Hutchinson, Francis (23 November 2023). "The August Poll in Penang: A Perspective on Pakatan, its Partners and its Prospects" (PDF). ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (93). ISSN 2335-6677.
  30. ^ Opalyn Mok (1 Sep 2023). "Penang CM: Preliminary works on man-made Silicon Island starts today". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  31. ^ "Penang Infra | Penang South Islands Masterplan". Penang Infrastructure Corporation. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  32. ^ "Penang Silicon Island". Gamuda Berhad. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  33. ^ "Silicon Island's LRT depot takes shape". The Star. 30 Nov 2024. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.
  34. ^ a b Opalyn Mok (10 Dec 2024). "Land for Penang LRT depot on man-made Silicon Island to be ready end of 2025". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 Dec 2024.

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