January 11, 2025 PENANG made history today with the official launch of the highly anticipated Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line project. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at Bandar Sri Pinang, Sungai Pinang, marking a significant milestone in the state’s transportation development. The Mutiara LRT Line project will span a total of 29.5 kilometres, with Bandar Sri Pinang being one of the...

30-12-2024 TAXPAYERS usually do not pay attention to stamp duty unless there is a transfer of property that requires the title to be transferred, or transactions undertaken between third parties which may have to be litigated in the courts. Unless the document is stamped, it will not be accepted in the courts. At the moment, there is no compulsion for taxpayers to stamp their documents. Generally,...

Wednesday, 01 Jan 2025 PETALING JAYA: The current income group classifications of B40, M40, and T20 do not accurately reflect the true economic stratification of Malaysian households, according to a study by Khazanah Research Institute (KRI). In its latest working paper, “Searching for the ‘poor’ and ‘middle class’ in Malaysia,” KRI featured an updated expenditure-space model that...

Saturday, 28 Dec 2024 Hotel bookings near capacity amid year-end holiday season GEORGE TOWN: The hotel booking rates in Penang, particularly in the city centre and Batu Ferringhi areas, have reached between 90% and 100% since last Friday, says the Malaysian Hotel Association. Its Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said the increase is largely driven by the arrival of domestic tourists,...

GEORGE TOWN: Penang is set to train at least 500 integrated circuit (IC) design engineers, aligning with the National Semiconductor Strategic Plan (NSS) goal of producing 60,000 highly skilled engineers by 2030. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the goal would be achieved under the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative, with training by the Penang Chip Design Academy offering upskilling and reskilling...

An aerial view of the ongoing reclamation works on Silicon Island. (Inset) Officials checking the progress on-site. 30 Nov 2024 THE land designated for the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) Depot on Silicon Island is steadily emerging above water, with the reclamation now approaching the 28ha mark. This depot will be a pivotal part of the island’s transportation network, supporting the...

Sundarajoo said the rebranding to Rumah MutiaraKu aimed to foster a stronger sense of ownership among recipients of the affordable housing programme. - Filepic 30 Nov 2024 PENANG will rebrand its affordable housing programme Rumah Mampu Milik to Rumah MutiaraKu starting 2025. State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the move aimed to foster a stronger sense of...

November 25, 2024 THE Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project will feature 20 stations on Penang Island and one station in Seberang Perai. State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari shared this update at the Penang Legislative Assembly today, based on information provided by MRT Corp, the project developer and asset owner. “The mainland station...

The development, to span seven years from end-2024, will see the construction of 338 affordable housing units, 1,680 residential units, service apartments, as well as retail shops and offices. KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 11): Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) has entered into a joint venture (JV) with Aspen Vision Development Sdn Bhd to undertake a mixed development on a 36-acre plot of land in Seberang...

Island Hospital is currently the largest private hospital in Penang, which offers various medical services across nine Centres of Excellence and is supported by approximately 120 specialists. Photo: IHH Mon, Nov 04, 2024 IHH Healthcare has completed the acquisition of Island Hospital, a 600-bed facility in Penang, for an equity consideration of approximately RM3.9 billion ($1.2 billion)....

October 29, 2024 WITH over 50 years of manufacturing and industrial expertise, particularly in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, Penang has firmly established itself as a premier hub for Global Business Services (GBS). This is demonstrated by the presence of more than 70 companies operating GBS facilities in the state, collectively employing over 17,000 professionals....

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October 28, 2024 A NEW chapter in Penang’s industrial landscape began today with the official launch of Northern TechValley@BKE, a 176-acre integrated industrial park set to bolster the state’s position as a hub for high-tech manufacturing and industrial innovation. Developed by Suling Hill Development, a special purpose vehicle by AME Elite Consortium Berhad and Majestic Gen, Northern...

New Factory in Penang to Create 1,000 Jobs and Boost Malaysia’s Manufacturing Sector October 24, 2024 – MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that transform the world, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and InvestPenang today announced that MKS celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony of its super center factory in Penang, Malaysia to support the...

Managing director of HBMK, Low Hon Keong (middle of the front row), expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee led by Kamen Lee (first row, second from the right) and her team Teresa Chin, Adeline Chong, Benny Cheah (sitting in the first row) and others for organizing Annual Dinner 2024, acknowledging their hard work and dedication in making the event a memorable celebration of the company’s...

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 14): Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd (KL:FAJAR) said on Monday that it will pay Penang Development Corp (PDC) RM111.45 million to undertake a joint development of a medical city and mixed development hub in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan. The payment is for the purchase of land measuring 51.17 acres, for the Medi-City development, Fajarbaru said. The purchase represents ‘part one’ of the...

Commuters wait to board a train at the Kerinchi LRT Station in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur May 20, 2024. Tuesday, 15 Oct 2024 GEORGE TOWN, Oct 15 — The Penang state government is optimistic that the Penang Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will commence by the end of this year. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stated that it was previously announced the project is expected to...

September 12, 2024 UNITED STATES-based Benchmark Precision Technologies has officially expanded its presence in Penang with the opening of its fourth manufacturing facility. The latest facility, located in Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP), spans approximately 8,000 square metres and includes additional expansion space for future development. This complements the company’s other three...

Malaysia’s updated Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa programme has sparked a significant rise in interest among China’s affluent younger generation. — Picture courtesy of Facebook/Malaysia My 2nd Home Programme group By Malay Mail Wednesday, 11 Sep 2024 KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Malaysia’s revamped Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa scheme has led to a notable increase in interest from...

September 8, 2024 PENANG has officially launched its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Talent Blueprint at Tech Dome Penang, Komtar, this evening. The blueprint was developed by the Penang STEM Working Group, a special committee comprising InvestPenang, Penang Institute, Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), Motorola Solutions, Pentamaster, and Intel. Penang Chief...