The draft master plan for the Sungai Nibong Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at the Pesta Pulau Pinang site will be finalised in October.
GEORGE TOWN: The draft master plan for the Sungai Nibong Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at the Pesta Pulau Pinang site will be finalised in October before entering the implementation phase, which is expected to take 10 to 15 years.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is currently conducting stakeholder engagement sessions and once the plan is finalised, the focus will shift to determining its implementation mechanism.
“After this draft is finalised, the next task is to determine how to execute the projects under the Sungai Nibong TOD. This involves project management, financing, and a potential public-private partnership approach because some components suit the private sector while others are best handled by the government.
“The execution of the entire project is expected to take 10 to 15 years, depending on the phased development plan. The concept presented today is a proposal and needs further refinement to comply with planning guidelines, public amenities, and housing requirements, including social housing categories,” he told reporters today.
He said this after officiating the Draft Master Plan Stakeholder Engagement Symposium for the Sungai Nibong TOD (Pesta Site) here today. Also present was State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
The draft master plan was prepared through a collaboration involving the Penang state government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), appointed consultants, MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), as well as various federal and state government agencies.
Chow said the Sungai Nibong TOD covers 58 acres (23.47 hectares) and incorporates the depot and station components of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
MRT Corp will be responsible for developing the LRT depot and station at the site, whilst the remaining development components fall under the purview of the state government as the landowner.
“Besides the LRT depot and station, other developments will be carried out in phases determined later. The new Penang Island City Council (MBPP) building will be on land owned by MBPP,” he said.
On the Gross Development Value (GDV), Chow said the figure has not been announced because the master plan is still in its final stages of preparation, with the final report expected this October.
He added that the Sungai Nibong TOD serves as a long-term urban development guide for Penang, providing continuity, certainty, and a clear direction for urban growth for future generations.
Chow stressed that the master plan was not designed for a single administration or political term but is an urban planning investment with benefits realised over the long term.
Meanwhile, Zairil said Sungai Nibong was chosen as a strategic location because it is a multi-modal transport hub connecting the Mutiara Line LRT with local and intercity bus services. The area also has strategic links to Penang International Airport, the Bayan Lepas industrial hub, and nearby residential areas.
He said the project will establish Sungai Nibong as Penang’s first inclusive TOD, emphasising accessibility, universal design, affordable mobility, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
“TOD is not merely about developing areas around an LRT station. It is about creating a complete, connected, and liveable community where housing, workplaces, schools, commerce, healthcare, recreation, and public spaces are integrated with quality public transit.
“The LRT is not just a transport project, but a catalyst for investment, urban renewal, and long-term economic growth for Penang. Furthermore, the TOD project has the potential to create a vibrant district with a mix of public spaces, community facilities, recreational areas, and economic opportunities,” Zairil said.
On the Pesta Pulau Pinang, Zairil said the annual festival concept will evolve because much of the land in Sungai Nibong will be reallocated for the TOD project. Based on the current draft, the event space will be smaller, as it has to accommodate the LRT depot, station, bus terminal, and public parks.
He said the proposed new Pesta Pulau Pinang ground will span about five acres (two hectares). Although the scale of the festival will change, its cultural, entertainment, and commercial elements will be preserved through a proposed cultural centre equipped with an auditorium, performance hall, and activity spaces.
“This new concept also opens up opportunities for a ‘year-round pesta’ rather than the traditional model that only ran for a few months at the end of the year. With the LRT and new facilities, our vision is to create a vibrant destination operating throughout the year with retail units, cultural events, and entertainment,” he added.
