Kg Manis set for makeover

KAMPUNG Manis, one of the poorest squatter communities in Penang, will undergo a massive makeover following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and Penang Housing Board.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the move would see Kampung Manis in Butterworth modernised and comprising various mixed development projects.

He said three plots of land – Lot 286, Lot 65 and Lot 67 – totalling 14.86ha had been gazetted for industrial and transport development purposes.

“Kampung Manis is located on railway land owned by RAC.

“Its potential was showcased at the RAC Property Exhibition 2023 on Aug 24, last year,” he said after witnessing the MOU signing between Penang Housing Board general manager Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi and RAC chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Ahmad at a hotel in Butterworth.

Loke said through the MOU, the Penang Housing Board, which oversaw low-income group housing matters, would assist RAC in the restructuring of settlements in Kampung Manis to ensure no residents were left behind.

He said the plan to develop the land was crucial to ensure continuous revenue generation for RAC in the long term, redirecting it towards the development and maintenance of the railway transport industry in the country.

Residents looking at the makeover plans at the MOU signing ceremony.

According to the 2030 Seberang Prai Local Plan, these three lots have been gazetted as highly suitable for industrial, transport and commercial development.

“With development in these areas, it can support the direction and main focus of the Transport Ministry, which aims to strengthen the connectivity and accessibility of public transport and logistics systems,” Loke said.

He added that the planned development concept would undoubtedly consider the need to create housing components.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said comprehensive development was needed in Kampung Manis as it was an unplanned residential area lacking a drainage system that led to flooding issues.

He said cooperation between RAC and Penang Housing Board would be able to turn existing residential areas into a more developed place for the benefit of the people.

He added that the project would also stimulate economic growth, with commercial spaces that could generate income and job opportunities, in addition to providing planned development with smoother traffic routes.

Also present were Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan, Penang housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Seberang Prai mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad and residents.

Kampung Manis is a remnant of a pre-Independence settlement of labourers, built right beside the perimeter wall of Malayan Sugar Manufacturing (MSM), which is how the village got its name, as manis means sweet in English.