Latest news with #ChowKonYeow
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang launches Silicon Research and Incubation Space to drive IC design industry
GEORGE TOWN: Penang's mission to lead Malaysia's integrated circuit (IC) design landscape received a boost with the launch of the Silicon Research and Incubation Space, a high-innovation facility under the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ (PSD@5km+) initiative. Located at GBS Tech Space in the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, the 36,000-square-foot purpose-built space marks the beginning of a new era for local IC design, poised to meet the challenges of the global market. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the facility is now home to local IC design companies and technology partners, creating a collaborative platform that brings together the experience, expertise, and vision of local entrepreneurs, many of whom previously served in multinational corporations (MNCs). He said the facility is envisioned as a one-stop centre designed to cultivate a vibrant community of next-generation artificial intelligence-driven IC design thinkers, engineers and entrepreneurs. 'It provides access to high-specification server environments, cutting-edge lab facilities and industry-standard electronic design automation tools and equipment, which are critical enablers for IC design and development. 'The space is also complemented by an integrated suite of technical consultations, expert mentorships and collaborative development programmes, aimed at accelerating innovation and product readiness,' he told a press conference after the launching ceremony at the GBS Tech Space, here today. Chow noted that today's launch reaffirms the state's commitment to aligning with the National Semiconductor Strategy, and over 45 companies, both local and MNCs, are currently operating in Penang, making it Malaysia's largest IC design cluster. Elaborating further, he said the facility is one of three key components under the PSD@5KM+ initiative, the other two being the Chip Design Academy, which is to be launched next week, and the IC Design Digital Park in Bayan Lepas, scheduled for completion this August. The PSD@5KM+ initiative was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in December last year, with support from RM50 million in federal government funding and RM60 million from the state government. Chow emphasised that the state's vision, 'Made by Malaysia, designed and developed in Penang', is becoming a reality as locally designed chips begin to meet global standards and enter international markets. He said that one of the recent achievements is the development of two advanced chip technology solutions, namely HBM3E and network-on-chip by SkyeChip. 'We are proud that local companies are now not just 'Made in Malaysia', but are producing chips that are truly 'Made by Malaysia', reinforcing Penang's position as the Silicon Valley of the East,' he added.
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Chow: Penang waiting for notice to proceed to start physical construction of LRT
GEORGE TOWN — The Penang government is still waiting for the official notice to proceed (NTP) from the Transport Ministry and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) so that the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) physical construction can begin. Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the notice was required to allow SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS), as the main public work contractor for Package 1 of the project to start according to the plan and schedule. 'Some initial work has been done at the project site, including soil study, land acquisition and compensation negotiations with owners, but the official notice is important to allow physical construction work completely,' he told reporters after officiating the 2025 Penang Transport Day at Komtar today, in the presence of state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He added that the state government has done its duty when it handed over its role in the project to MRT Corp and released SRS Konsortium as the party that had requested the LRT implementation previously. 'The state government's link with SRS is now in the context of the Penang Transport Master Plan, but the LRT project has been taken over by MRT Corp. The main duty is now with the federal government to issue the notice,' he said. Chow also said that the contractor has to ensure that the road area taken up is replaced by expanding the road on the side by maintaining the number of existing lanes to avoid traffic congestion that occurred during the LRT construction in Kuala Lumpur. The state government does not plan to impose any congestion charge as the priority was to ensure that the project and traffic management during the construction period run smoothly, he added. — BERNAMA
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang waiting for notice to proceed to start physical construction of LRT
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is still waiting for the official notice to proceed (NTP) from the Transport Ministry and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) so that the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) physical construction can begin. Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the notice was required to allow SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS), as the main public work contractor for Package 1 of the project to start according to the plan and schedule. 'Some initial work has been done at the project site, including soil study, land acquisition and compensation negotiations with owners, but the official notice is important to allow physical construction work completely,' he told reporters after officiating the 2025 Penang Transport Day at Komtar today, in the presence of state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. He added that the state government has done its duty when it handed over its role in the project to MRT Corp and released SRS Konsortium as the party that had requested the LRT implementation previously. 'The state government's link with SRS is now in the context of the Penang Transport Master Plan, but the LRT project has been taken over by MRT Corp. The main duty is now with the federal government to issue the notice,' he said. Chow also said that the contractor has to ensure that the road area taken up is replaced by expanding the road on the side by maintaining the number of existing lanes to avoid traffic congestion that occurred during the LRT construction in Kuala Lumpur. The state government does not plan to impose any congestion charge as the priority was to ensure that the project and traffic management during the construction period run smoothly, he added.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Still no green light for LRT construction work in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is still awaiting the Notice to Proceed or official notice to commence physical work on the Mutiara Line light rail transit project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, although the official notice from the Transport Ministry has yet to be issued, several preliminary works had already been carried out on site, including soil investigations, land acquisition and compensation negotiations with the involved landowners. "The official notice is important to enable full-scale physical construction works according to the planned schedule and plans. "At the moment, we are still waiting for official instructions from the ministry and MRT Corp," he said after officiating the Penang Transport Day 2025 here today. The 29.5km Mutiara Line LRT includes 21 strategic stations and designed to enhance connectivity between Penang island and the mainland, thereby reducing road congestion and improving accessibility. The main route plan covers the route from Penang Silicon Island to Penang Sentral and the Komtar station in George Town, with train services scheduled to operate alternately along the route. Chow said the state government has fulfilled its responsibilities by fully handing over the roles related to the LRT project to MRT Corp and releasing SRS Consortium from its previous role as the party that applied for the LRT implementation before. "The state government's relationship with SRS is now within the context of the other Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) projects, but for the LRT project, it has been taken over by MRT. "So now the main responsibility lies with the federal government to issue the notice," he added. Asked on the expected date for the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, Chow said the preliminary information received earlier stated it would be issued within a month or two. "Last month, I mentioned one or two months, so the second month is this month. Hopefully, it will really be issued this month," he said. Meanwhile, Chow said, as experienced in the LRT construction project in Kuala Lumpur, it was important for contractors to ensure that any road space taken in the course of construction, is replaced with road widening on the shoulders or side areas to maintain the existing number of lanes. "In Bandar Baru Air Itam, for example, the area used for road construction was replaced by taking land on the sides to ensure the two-lane route remains functional," he said. He added that, currently, the state government has no plans to impose any congestion charges because the priority now is to ensure smooth project implementation and traffic management throughout the construction period.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang still waiting for green light from Transport Ministry for LRT project, says chief minister
GEORGE TOWN, July 1 — The Penang state government is still awaiting the official notice to proceed from the Transport Ministry and MRT Corporation (MRTC) before physical work can begin on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state hopes to receive the notice this month. 'Last month, I mentioned one or two months, so this month would be the second. We really hope it can be issued this month,' he said after officiating Penang Transportation Day at Komtar today. He said the notice is crucial to enable SRS Consortium to commence full-scale construction works according to the planned timeline. However, he noted that some preliminary work has already begun on-site, including soil investigation, land acquisition, and compensation for affected landowners. He said the state government has fulfilled its responsibility by handing over all roles related to the LRT project to MRTC. He added that SRS Consortium has also been released from its previous role as the original applicant for the project's implementation. 'The state's relationship with SRS now is only in the context of other components under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), but for the LRT project, it has been taken over by MRTC,' he said. He said the main responsibility for the project now lies with the federal government, particularly in issuing the notice to proceed. On traffic management during the LRT construction phase, Chow said it will involve occupying parts of existing roads. 'It is important for contractors to ensure that any occupied road space is replaced by widening the road or using wide areas to maintain the same number of lanes,' he said. He cited the highway construction in Bandar Baru Air Itam, where land adjacent to the site was acquired to ensure two-lane traffic could continue to operate smoothly. Asked about the possibility of congestion charges in Penang, Chow said there are no plans for this at the moment. He acknowledged it may be listed in the PTMP as a potential strategy to address traffic congestion, but the state has yet to consider implementing it. The RM10.5 billion LRT line spans 29.5km, with 21 stations connecting the island's south to the northeast and linking the island to the mainland.
