The Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) was established in 2020 as the State Government’s special purpose vehicle to implement components of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) and the Penang South Island (PSI).
Much has changed since then with the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project taken over by the Federal Government. The originally three-island PSI project is now scaled down as a single-island development called Silicon Island – a result of the Federal Government’s readiness to fund the LRT project.
Despite these changes, we are grateful and proud that Penang is finally realising these two infrastructure projects. Until last year, the two projects were nothing but a dream until we secured all the required approvals and the funding means. We are also happy that the LRT will connect to Silicon Island.
Although the PSI project is scaled down, the commencement of work in September 2023 after a long wait since 2015 remains a milestone to celebrate. There will surely be new challenges to face but we will not be fazed by them.
Our deadline to complete the reclamation is 2032 but with targets to reclaim 400 acres per year with the deployment of more sand vessels, we aim to finish in 2030. We also aim to have the first factory in the Green Tech Park on the island built in 2026.
Other than the Silicon Island reclamation, PIC is also implementing the project’s Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) and PSI Ecology Offset Master Plan (PEOM) to mitigate the project’s impact on the nearby communities and the environment. These initiatives are being implemented smoothly with the project developer Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd.
PIC is also overseeing the building of the Pan Island Link 2A, which will connect the new island with Batu Maung, and the ongoing construction of the Ayer Itam – Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass, which is also known as Package 2. Preparatory works on PIL2A are ongoing while Package 2 is scheduled for completion in 2025.
We take the responsibility entrusted to us to ensure the delivery of these projects seriously, as they are crucial to safeguarding Penang’s long-term economic growth, including job creation for local talents.
We look forward to exciting developments, especially how Silicon Island will transform the quieter parts of Batu Maung and Bayan Lepas by spurring new business opportunities and infrastructure development for the locals just like the Bayan Lepas free industrial zone in the past. However, at the same time, we would like to seek the people’s patience with the ongoing construction activities.
The inconveniences we face today will bring a better tomorrow for our future generations.
Dato’ Seri Farizan bin Darus
Chief Executive Officer
Penang Infrastructure Corporation
