BUTTERWORTH: After living in an urban slum for more than half a century, some 177 households in Kampung Manis, Seberang Prai, here can finally look forward to getting new homes at no cost.
The Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) land that they were occupying would be redeveloped into a commercial area, which meant that each of the 177 households would be given a free apartment unit that would be built at the same site.
Announcing the good news to some of the Kampung Manis folk today, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said each household would receive a 850 sq ft apartment unit, each worth RM400,000.
He said the residences would take three years to build.
"The 177 eligible households will be offered a unit worth RM400,000 for free, which comes with a host of facilities.
"It will be a one-for-one exchange, with the 177 households exchanging their dilapidated homes for new apartments.
"There are no risks to the residents, as they can continue staying in their current homes while the new apartments are being built," he said
Loke was attending the memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing ceremony between RAC and the Penang Housing Board, and the heads of agreement (HoA) signing ceremony between RAC and Rivanis Ventures Sdn Bhd, for redevelopment of the Kampung Manis land at The Light Hotel here today.
Present were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Elaborating, Loke said the first phase of the development would focus on delivering 338 affordable housing units to resolve the relocation of the Kampuing Manis households first.
"This phase aligns with RAC's commitment to sustainable, inclusive development that prioritises community welfare and high living standards," he added.
RAC had awarded the 14.58ha mixed-use development project to a joint venture between Aspen Vision Development Sdn Bhd (Aspen) and Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (Kerjaya Prospek).
This award followed an open tender issued on Aug 24 last year and marked a significant step in enhancing the region's living standards and urban landscape.
The development would encompass 338 affordable housing units, 1,680 residential units, 1,680 serviced apartments, and a diverse range of commercial and office spaces, establishing a vibrant urban hub in Seberang Prai.
Managed by Rivanis Ventures, the joint venture entity formed between Aspen and Kerjaya Prospek, the project was slated for phased completion over the next seven years.
Strategically located between Sungai Prai and Taman Inderawash, the development site provided optimal access to Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and Penang island via the Penang Bridge, with seamless connectivity to northern regions and key hubs like Bertam, Penang Science Park, Juru and Batu Kawan through the North-South Expressway.
Beyond elevating housing standards, this project was also designed to stimulate Seberang Prai's economy, creating job opportunities throughout the construction period and supporting local businesses in the long term.
The development would contribute lasting value, enhancing Seberang Prai's economic and social landscape for the generations to come.
In January, RAC and the Penang Housing Board signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop three plots of RAC land in Kampung Manis.
The development would see Kampung Manis transformed from a squatter colony to a modern development that included commercial centres.
It was also one of the promises made during last year's state elections by Pakatan Harapan Seberang Prai assemblyman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, who is currently the state Housing Committee chairman.