GEORGE TOWN, Jan 12 — Penang’s historic waterfront from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) to Tanjung Metropolis Marina (TCM) will likely be redeveloped right into a industrial promenade below a long-term plan to revitalise the island’s seafront, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook mentioned in the present day.
He mentioned TCM, the previous godowns alongside the stretch and Church Road Pier are presently run-down however will likely be reworked below the plan.
“We are going to push ahead to make sure that the whole improvement plan is realised as quickly as doable,” he mentioned.
Loke mentioned cruise passengers disembarking at SPCT will be capable to stroll alongside the waterfront to Padang Kota Lama or TCM.
“Alongside the way in which, there will likely be cafes, al-fresco cafe, F&B shops, galleries, and so forth. So that’s the idea that we’re ,” he instructed reporters after the launch of the Penang Port Fee’s (PPC) seventieth anniversary on the E&O Lodge right here.
He described SPCT as a “crown jewel” as a result of it’s the solely cruise terminal in Malaysia positioned inside a metropolis and heritage zone.
“This is a crucial, very, crucial asset not just for Penang, however for Malaysia,” he mentioned.
Loke mentioned the imaginative and prescient is to develop SPCT as a house port for worldwide cruise liners whereas enhancing the encircling space as a public promenade.
“We don’t solely wish to present a port facility however to show the whole space round SPCT into a pleasant promenade,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the mission would require coordination between the state authorities, PPC, the Transport Ministry and businesses together with the Railway Asset Company (RAC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).
“That is the place the state authorities, PPC, Transport Ministry and all different associated businesses together with Railway Asset Company and the Penang port operator, PPSB, should come collectively to grasp this imaginative and prescient,” he mentioned.
Loke mentioned the state authorities has already accomplished the promenade at Padang Kota Lama and goals to increase the walkway to SPCT.
“So what we wish to do is to develop that walkway to hook up with Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal,” he mentioned.
He added that the plan is to finally lengthen the walkway to TCM and the ferry terminal to make the whole waterfront walkable.
Nevertheless, he mentioned a walkway linking SPCT to the ferry terminal has but to be constructed because the seawall should first be strengthened for public security.
“So with the intention to do this, the whole space should, in fact, numerous capex is required,” he mentioned, utilizing the abbreviation for capital expenditure.
Loke mentioned the federal government will solely make investments if there’s a viable industrial return.
“What we wish to do is that we invite the non-public sector to develop that space right into a industrial space, with galleries, F&B outlet and so forth,” he mentioned.
He burdened that no everlasting constructions will likely be constructed as the realm should stay a heritage zone.
Loke additionally revealed plans to show the previous Menara Kastam constructing reverse TCM, which belongs to RAC, right into a boutique lodge.
“It’s very rundown proper now, it’s like an deserted constructing however this will likely be was a jewel,” he mentioned.
“We now have made the choice and bulletins will likely be made quickly,” he mentioned.
He added that he has signed the papers approving the mission.
