Proposed landed residential development on a 19.46-acre site near Taman Seri Putera in Nibong Tebal. The location is just a stone’s throw from Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Engineering Campus, approximately a five-minute drive from Nibong Tebal town centre and about 1km from the Penang–Perak border.

The development will comprise 81 double-storey terrace houses. A single-storey community hall is also included in the development plan, providing a shared space for residents and community activities.

The project is still in its planning stage and more details will be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Nibong Tebal
Property Type : Residential
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: 19.46 acres
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 81
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

The Penang government is reviewing the feasibility of the proposed Penang Third Link, with a bridge design now being considered as an alternative to the previously proposed undersea tunnel.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government had approved a realignment study based on a bridge concept, following the findings of an earlier feasibility study.

The proposed realignment would shift the route northwards to accommodate the planned expansion of Penang Port, while avoiding interference with port operations and vessel navigation routes. It is also intended to help ease traffic congestion around Gurney Bay and its surrounding areas.

Zairil said a conceptual design study is currently underway, with its findings to be presented to the Penang Port Commission (PPC) for feedback and further consideration. The assessment will examine various aspects, including technical feasibility, financial implications, traffic needs, maritime safety and the project’s long-term economic benefits.

He added that the proposed Third Link would serve a different purpose from the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) bridge connecting Penang Island to Penang Sentral. While the LRT bridge would provide a direct rail connection between the island and mainland, it would be exclusively for train services and would not accommodate road vehicles.

The state government has also requested that the proposed Third Link bridge include pedestrian walkways and dedicated cycling lanes, which will be considered during the design stage once the project contract is awarded. The contract is expected to be awarded in the coming months.

Zairil stressed that the LRT bridge alone would not be sufficient to address the growing traffic congestion on Penang’s existing First Bridge.

He said an additional road connection remained necessary, particularly to cater to increasing traffic demand in North Seberang Perai, where rapid development is expected to put further pressure on existing road infrastructure.

A historic building along Jalan Macalister has reopened as a branch of the Penang State Museum, marking another milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to preserve its heritage and promote the arts.

The reopening was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who also launched the Penang Art Open 2025 exhibition themed “Future Ecologies”, featuring works by the competition’s winning artists.

The building, which had been closed for about six years, underwent repair and upgrading works, including roof repairs, electrical wiring improvements and a fresh coat of paint. A new automotive gallery within the compound has also expanded the exhibition space.

Originally known as the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the building was officially opened as a maternity hospital on Sept 13, 1915. Its reopening gives the historic premises a new role in showcasing Penang’s cultural and artistic heritage.

Source: The Star

The museum branch houses a diverse collection of exhibits, ranging from historical artefacts and traditional handicrafts to costumes, paintings and works by pioneering and contemporary artists. It also features contributions from the late comics artist Mohd Azmi Mohd Hussin, highlighting the state’s popular culture and artistic legacy.

The State Art Gallery is also temporarily operating from the premises while upgrading works are being carried out at its permanent home in Dewan Sri Pinang.

Meanwhile, the Penang Art Open 2025 exhibition explores how art can encourage greater awareness of environmental sustainability and sustainable development.

Chow said the reopening reflects the state government’s commitment to making Penang’s heritage more accessible while supporting the growth of its arts scene. He also encouraged visitors to look beyond the exhibits and appreciate the stories behind them.

The reopening follows the return of the Penang State Museum in Farquhar Street on July 23 and the opening of its automotive gallery on Feb 3.

Admission to the Jalan Macalister museum branch is free until Nov 30.

The federal government is drafting a set of uniform planning guidelines for short-term rental accommodation (STRA), which could require all premises operating as short-term rentals in Malaysia to be registered and fully comply with local authority licensing requirements before they can legally operate.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the guidelines are being prepared by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) through PLANMalaysia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), state governments and local authorities. The document is currently undergoing final review with Motac before being presented to the Cabinet and subsequently the National Council for Local Government (MNKT).

Under the proposed framework, several regulatory requirements are being outlined:

Mandatory local authority licensing: STRA operators must register their premises and comply with the relevant local authority’s licensing conditions before operating legally.

Strata management rules remain applicable: Short-term rentals in strata properties must continue to comply with the respective Joint Management Body (JMB) or Management Corporation (MC) by-laws under the Strata Management Act 2013.

Automatic licence verification: The government is encouraging cooperation with digital accommodation platforms to introduce automatic licence status checks before a property can be listed.

Removal of unlicensed listings: Digital platforms are expected to take responsibility for removing listings that do not have valid licences or breach local authority requirements and existing laws.

Stronger enforcement: Local authorities and enforcement agencies may take legal action against non-compliant operators under existing legislation, including the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 and the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

The proposed framework also addresses the possibility of limiting short-term rental operations to 180 nights annually. However, Aiman Athirah said a regulatory impact assessment had been conducted, and any cap would need to balance property owners’ income opportunities, tourism industry requirements, public safety and residents’ wellbeing.

Penang has already introduced its own measures, with the Guidelines for the Operation of Private Accommodation in Strata Property Schemes taking effect on April 1, 2023, followed by the gazetting of the Private Accommodation (Local Authority) By-Laws on August 1, 2026.

The nationwide guidelines are expected to provide a common regulatory framework for states and local authorities, although their implementation will depend on the subsequent approval and adoption process.

Silicon Island is expected to welcome its first factory in 2028, with the sale of industrial land at its 700-acre Green Tech Park scheduled to begin as early as the first quarter of 2027.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the industrial park would focus on attracting high-value investments in semiconductors, automated test equipment (ATE), integrated circuit (IC) design and medical devices, positioning Penang as a green and sustainable technology hub.

He said reclamation works on Silicon Island had reached 500 acres as of October 2026, representing 39.4% of its 1,270-acre Phase One development. A 64.85-acre site had also been prepared for the Mutiara Line LRT depot.

Speaking when tabling the Penang Budget 2027 at the State Legislative Assembly, Chow said Silicon Island was expected to generate long-term economic benefits. As of September 30, 2026, a total of 4,531 contracts worth RM1.92 billion had been awarded to local contractors and businesses.

Beyond Silicon Island, the state is also strengthening its semiconductor ecosystem through initiatives such as the Malaysia Automation, Test and Equipment (ATE) Campus in Batu Kawan. The Federal Government has allocated RM25 million for the project, while Penang is contributing 10 acres of industrial land worth approximately RM40 million.

Penang’s chip design ecosystem has also expanded, growing from around 25 companies to more than 50, supported by the Penang Silicon Design @5KM+ initiative.

Meanwhile, the proposed Penang Technology Finance Centre (PTFC), backed by a RM100 million strategic investment partnership between the Federal and state governments, aims to strengthen technology financing and attract further investments.

Chow stressed that these developments must translate into quality employment, higher incomes and suitable housing for skilled workers. Rumah Bakat Madani developments in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, and Lorong Tenggiri, Seberang Jaya, are among the initiatives aimed at providing accommodation for professionals and industrial workers.

Other strategic developments planned by the Penang Development Corporation include Penang International Logistics Aeropark, Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3, Bandar Cassia Technology Park and the Seberang Perai Tengah New Corridor.

Together, these initiatives are expected to strengthen Penang’s position as a major technology and manufacturing hub while creating new investment and employment opportunities across the state.