Latest news with #Penang2030
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Only Local Indian Traders Allowed To Trade At Carnivals During The Deepavali Season
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang government has set specific guidelines ensuring that only Indian traders from the state are permitted to participate in sales carnivals held during the Deepavali festive season. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the move aims to safeguard the interests of local traders. He said the policy, introduced five years ago, followed numerous complaints from local Indian business owners and the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PICCI), expressing concerns over the influx of foreign traders, including those from abroad, who offer products at cheaper prices. "The main reason is that local traders live and operate here throughout the year. They bear ongoing costs such as rent, taxes and salaries to their employees, but the business is not always profitable every month. Many of them rely on festive seasons, like Deepavali, to earn a better income. "So during peak seasons such as Deepavali, only local traders are allowed to apply to operate at sales carnivals, fiestas or similar events because we want to protect their interests," he said during a press conference on the Penang 2030 short video series at Komtar here today. Chow said this in response to a newspaper report regarding the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) enforcement action in issuing summonses to traders at an Indian community business carnival in Bukit Mertajam, near here. A video on the incident went viral on social media. Chow clarified, however, that foreign traders are still allowed to conduct business or organise carnivals outside the peak Deepavali festive season. He also acknowledged that there have been attempts to bypass the policy by applying for permits under the names of local individuals, while the actual business operations are carried out by foreign traders. 'This is a common tactic—permits are applied for using the names of locals, but in reality, it's foreigners who run the stalls and supply the goods. This practice puts undue pressure on our local traders,' he said.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Thousands enjoy a day in the kampung
Family fun: Visitors taking in the sights and sounds of the Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 in Kampung Agong, Penaga. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star KEPALA BATAS: Thousands of visitors flocked to the Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025. Despite the sweltering heat, many families, including those with young children, turned up in high spirits to take part in the festivities held at Kampung Agong in Penaga yesterday. Mohd Hilfy Hizir, 35, travelled from Penang Island with his wife and two children to experience the celebration for the first time. 'I have been here several times, but this is our first time joining in the celebration. It's worth the drive,' said the private company executive. 'My children enjoyed themselves and it's great to see culture celebrated in such a lively way.' Another parent, 41-year-old Nurfarazila Radzi, said she did not want to miss the festival as it offered her children a valuable opportunity to experience cross-cultural traditions and get a glimpse of authentic kampung life. 'Events like this remind our children where we come from. They spend so much time with gadgets these days. It's nice to bring them back to nature and our roots,' she said. Her children had a good time trying out traditional games like congkak and kite-flying at the padi field. Cassidy Jitien, 38, a civil servant, said it was his first time visiting Kampung Agong and described the experience as refreshing. 'It's peaceful and nostalgic. You don't get to see scenes like this in the city,' he said, referring to the padi field, wooden houses and kids running barefoot. Cassidy, who brought along his three young daughters, said it was also a meaningful way for his family to unwind and reconnect with their cultural roots. Originally from Sarawak, Cassidy shared that the kampung setting reminded him of his childhood days in rural Borneo. 'This kind of environment brings back memories of my grandparents' village. 'I want my daughters to appreciate these traditions and not grow up thinking that culture only exists in books or museums,' he added. Among the activities were traditional performances and workshops such as batik painting, silat and wayang kulit, as well as traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. The festival also featured traditional food stalls and a handicraft market – all reflecting the diverse heritage of Seberang Perai. The event combines the annual Penang2030 celebration with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. It is a collaboration between the Chief Minister's Office, Seberang Perai City Council, Penang Island City Council, Tech Dome Penang and Penang Green Council.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Penang2030 Festival and Seberang Perai Heritage Day kicks off
KEPALA BATAS: The Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 kicked off at Kampung Agong in Penaga on Saturday (July 12). The festival began at 2pm and combines the annual Penang2030 celebration with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. Taking place in a harmonious and meaningful atmosphere at Kampung Agong, thousands of visitors joined in the festivities. Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said the festival marks a historic milestone in the cultural development of the state, as the Penang2030 Festival is being held for the first time on Seberang Perai soil, in conjunction with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. "It is a pioneering celebration, rich with symbolic significance and deep meaning. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to honouring heritage while driving progress, in line with the aspiration to shape Seberang Perai into a competitive and soulful city," he said during his speech. Among the festival activities at Kampung Agong were traditional performances and workshops such as batik painting, silat, and wayang kulit, as well as traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. There were also colouring contests, sack races, traditional pageant competitions, and many other traditional games. The festival also featured traditional food stalls, heritage games, cultural performances, and a handicraft market, reflecting the diverse heritage of Seberang Perai. Visitors were also treated to food and drinks during the Kenduri Rakyat at the event. Present at the event were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state executive councillors Jason H'ng, Datuk Rashidi Zainol, Fahmi Zainol, Gooi Zi Sen, and state secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long.
The Star
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
5,000 expected at festival in Kg Agong
Chow (sixth from right) at the Penang2030 Festival press conference to be organised in conjunction with Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 on July 12 in Kampung Agong. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star July 12 event to celebrate heritage and innovation MORE than 5,000 people are expected to attend Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 at Kampung Agong in Penaga. The festival, set for July 12, combines the annual Penang2030 celebration with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. The event aims to preserve cultural heritage, promote family participation and build stronger community ties in rural areas. It is a collaboration between the Chief Minister's Office (Penang2030 Unit), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Tech Dome Penang and Penang Green Council (PGC). 'This joint effort is aligned with the state's Penang2030 Vision – to build a 'Smart and Green State Inspired by a Family-Focused Approach',' said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at a press conference at Komtar. He said this year marked the seventh anniversary of the Penang2030 Vision. Activities lined up for the festival on Penang mainland include a mix of cultural showcases and modern tech experiences. Among the highlights are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities and workshops by Tech Dome Penang, including stargazing and giant bubble-making, Maker Space by MBPP for creative innovation, and sustainability workshops by PGC. Other activities are traditional performances and workshops such as batik painting, silat and wayang kulit, as well as traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. The event is also supported by state agencies and community groups such as Penang Social Welfare Department, state Public Library, District Health Office and Fire and Rescue Department.
Free Malaysia Today
20-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Strong investor interest, but Penang land take-up modest, says Chow
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow launching the Penang Industrial Master Plan 2030. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said despite the state continuing to attract investors amid a global semiconductor boom, demand for new industrial land remains modest, with just about 100 acres (40ha) taken up each year. The state government, however, has over 2,000 acres (800ha) of industrial land earmarked for development, including sites under acquisition, reclamation or request-for-proposal stages, to ensure long-term availability for future growth. Chow was responding to a question on the availability of industrial land in the state to cater to future investors. 'At 100 acres a year, 2,000 acres will last us for decades. For example, one of our industrial parks, which spans over 1,000 acres, took more than 15 years to complete since it was initiated in 2008,' he told reporters here today. Chow said not all investors want land, adding that Chinese investors, for example, are content with taking up idle factories so they have a quick turnaround. He said these Chinese investors would rather purchase or lease existing factory sites and repurpose them instead of waiting for new land to be made available. 'They want to start quickly, so they look for idle or underutilised factories. Sometimes, these are leased or bought from companies with excess capacity,' he said. He also said there are factories with enough land to expand within their compounds, and they build new facilities there. 'These count as fresh investments, too,' he said. He said Penang recorded RM13 billion in approved investments recently, but this figure covers various areas, including brownfield sites, digital economy initiatives and existing infrastructure. Earlier, Chow launched the Penang Industrial Master Plan 2030, which will help expand and improve industrial land supply, infrastructure, and human capital, with a total of 44 projects estimated to cost RM41.2 billion. The plan covers both physical and non-physical industrial development, including zoning of new greenfield sites, upgrading existing greyfield and bluefield industrial areas, and rehabilitating brownfield sites. Greenfield areas are untouched land meant for brand-new industrial parks, while greyfield zones are older, underused sites that can be upgraded. Bluefield areas combine new development with the revitalisation of existing spaces, and brownfield sites are former industrial areas that may be polluted or abandoned, targeted for clean-up and reuse. Penang currently has 54 industrial parks and more than 8,900 manufacturing-related establishments, the majority located in Seberang Perai. Key industries include machinery and equipment, electrical and electronics, basic and fabricated metal products, and food processing technology. The plan forecasts a total of 5,310ha of industrial land available by 2030, with new zones identified for future development in Batu Kawan, Bertam, and Penang South Island (reclaimed island).
