Property Hunter Magazine Property Hunter Magazine Issue 51 - February 2014 | Page 42

/// West Malaysia Property News Official Groundbreaking of Penang WorldCity International Airport. Since the special preview of Tropicana Bay Residences, the first phase of Penang WorldCity has recorded a take-up rate of 85%, amounting to a GDV of over RM540 million. (From left) Dr Arif Bahardin, Tuan Lim Hock Seng, Datuk Yau Kok Seng, Datuk Dickson Tan, Tan Sri Datuk Danny Tan, Jagdeep Singh Deo, Datuk Low Eng Hock and Datuk Andy Khoo Tropicana Corporation Berhad together with its joint venture partner, Ivory Properties Group Berhad held the official groundbreaking ceremony of the Penang WorldCity development at Bayan Mutiara, Penang recently. Penang WorldCity, an integrated waterfront development worth a gross development value (GDV) of RM10 billion is being developed by Tropicana Ivory Sdn Bhd, which is a joint venture company between Tropicana Corporation Berhad and Ivory Properties Group Berhad. Held at the Penang WorldCity sales gallery, the groundbreaking was officiated by Penang state executive councillor for Town and Country Planning and Housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo; Tropicana founder and group executive vice chairman Tan Sri Datuk Danny Tan Chee Sing and Ivory chief executive officer Datuk Low Eng Hock. The event was also witnessed by Tropicana group chief executive officer Datuk Yau Kok Seng, Tropicana group managing director 42 Datuk Dickson Tan and Tropicana Ivory managing director Datuk Andy Khoo. Speaking on behalf of Tropicana, Tan Sri Datuk Danny Tan, said, “Penang WorldCity is developed on a prime 102.6 acres of freehold land and has been conceptualised to represent the quiet charm of island living with the convenience of a vibrant city life. Since the special preview of Tropicana Bay Residences, representing the first phase of this development, we are pleased that it has recorded an 85% take-up rate. We believe this integrated development will add vibrance to Penang’s economic landscape.” Strategically located within Bayan Mutiara, Penang WorldCity is an integrated waterfront city located at the gateway of Penang Island, right off the Penang bridge. It is located in the eastern part of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (formerly known as Bayan Lepas Expressway) within the vicinity of Sungai Nibong. It can be easily accessed from Komtar and the Penang www.PropertyHunter.com.my Penang WorldCity will be developed over an eight to ten-year period and will comprise residential towers, office blocks, recreational and retail offerings, a wellness centre, an international hotel as well as an international school. Facilities provided will include a pool, children’s playground, tennis, squash and badminton courts, multipurpose halls, a gym as well as a foot reflexology and jogging path. Construction of the first phase is expected to begin in 2013 and is slated for completion in 2017. KLIA2 Cost Not to Exceed RM4 Billion KLIA2 Skybridge artist impression Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein assured that KLIA2 is on track for its 2 May opening, while its total cost is not expected to go beyond RM4 billion. Notably, the opening of the hybrid airport has been delayed five times from its original target in September 2011, and its initial RM1.6 billion budget skyrocketed to RM4 billion. While the final cost will be unveiled only after the project is completed, it does not expect it to exceed RM4 billion, he said during a site visit. Hishammuddin also revealed that the certificate of completion and compliance will likely be completed by the end of this this month, and the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) by early February. He further noted that although the project experienced some hiccups, it is now 98% complete. “I acknowledged that there are some delays and problems but I’ve been given assurance that if they work together, that can be overcomed. I believe individually, the different sections of the development of KLIA2 is 98 percent ready but the biggest test is the integration and coordination of the operations and that requires third parties,” said Hishammuddin. In fact, the committee headed by Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi had drafted certain timelines as well as bigger concerns which may require him to step in to resolve. “But those are deadlines that I will let them follow through until such time that I’m needed,” he said, adding that he is cautiously confident that the contractors will be able to meet the timelines, while acknowledging that there is still a lot of work to be done. Penang WorldCity is developed on a prime 102.6 acres of