Penang - Work to develop Kampung Tanjung Tokong would start by the middle of next year after 251 families were relocated to a temporary settlement by year end, making way for the first phase of development.
UDA Holdings Bhd managing director, Datuk Jaafar Abu Hassan said development of a new township at the site of the last Malay kampung in Georgetown costing between RM800 million and RM1 billion would change the entire landscape of the Tanjung Tokong beach front.
"Development of the area would be done carefully so as not to impact the environment of the Malay community who had settled there for a long time," he told reporters at a breaking of fast by UDA Land (North) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of UDA Holdings, with 170 orphans here last night.
He added 180 transit houses would be ready by the end of this month so that the villagers could move during the school holiday by year end. "Development of the 29.4 hectare area involved the Kampung Tanjung Tokong site, reclamation land and some affordable homes. A commercial area will also be developed for the benefit of the local people."
Jaafar said development of Tanjung Tokong involved four phases and slated for completion in four phases between eight and ten years.
Focus of development would be along the beach from Tanjung Tokong to Tanjung Bungah where tourism development projects would be carried out.
Kampung Tanjung Tokong which retained its traditional kampung charm but with haphazard buildings had even been criticised by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed during one of his visits to Penang several years ago.
Jaafar hoped that all 830 families involved with the development project could be relocated to flats with a floor area of 850 sq metre each, equipped with modern facilities.
"We hope the Malay community in the area can live in a better, comfortable clean and well-planned environment." On the protest by several kampung folk over the development project, he was confident that all the problems could be resolved once the entire project was completed.
"Other than the original house owners, their children with families will also get their own houses," he added.
Source: www.bernama.com.my (6 Oktober 2007)
