Thursday September 13, 2007

PGCC boost for Penang

By ZARINAH DAUD

PENANG: Three decades after being dubbed the “silicon island”, Penang is set to move on to the world stage as a global city centre.

The RM25bil Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) masterplan, covering 104ha at site of the Penang Turf Club, was unveiled yesterday by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The project will comprise, among others, hotels, condominiums, commercial centres and a central park.

The Prime Minister, a Penang boy, said this would be a “meaningful” project to the state and country.

Futuristic appearance: An artist’s impression of the Penang Global City Centre.

“As Prime Minister, I know that it will contribute significantly to the national economy,” Abdullah said.

“While Kuala Lumpur has its KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre), Penang will have its very own PGCC. Both make me proud.

“PGCC is a high-impact project to complement the Northern Corridor Economic Region. I know Penang will do well,” he said when unveiling the masterplan at a hotel here.

Also present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Equine Capital executive chairman Datuk Patrick Lim and Abad Naluri chairman Datuk Seri Kamal Hashim.

Abad Naluri, an associate company of Equine Capital Bhd, will undertake the project.

Abdullah, who is the Finance Minister, said PGCC would offer excellent facilities to foreign investors and an alternative avenue for them to set up offshore offices beyond the Klang Valley.

“This project will make the northern region viable for economic development. I hope this project will be implemented as soon as possible after getting the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities,'' he added.

Abdullah thanked the Penang Turf Club for allowing the development of PGCC.

In it goes: Abdullah inserting a crystal key to mark the launching of the Penang Global City Centre project at a hotel in Penang yesterday. With him are (from left) Kamal, Dr Koh and Lim.

“If it is not for them, this will not happen,” he remarked.

Abad Naluri bought the land for RM488mil in 2002 when the Penang Turf Club committee felt that the existing facility could no longer cope with the demands of modern-day racing.

In Butterworth later, ZULKIFLY MOHAMAD reports that Abdullah presented Ramadan aid to 22 mosque representatives at the Seberang Jaya mosque.

He also dispensed some important advice to the people: “Drive home safely for the Hari Raya break.”

Reminding everyone that the festive period was a time when many road fatalities occurred, Abdullah said he wanted to remind them of this on the first day of the fasting month itself.

“I hope parents will advise their children to drive carefully when they return home to celebrate Hari Raya.

Abdullah also called on mosque committees to organise more activities during Ramadan to foster closer relations among Muslims.

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