Penang greenlights Pulau Jerejak project

PETALING JAYA (May 24): Majilis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MBPP) has allowed the developer of buildings at Pulau Jerejak to demolish the buildings, paving the way for redevelopment of the island, reported The Star.

The developer Tropical Island Sdn Bhd has been given planning permission with conditions – namely to not encroach on the island’s forest reserve – to undertake the project, said mayor Yew Tung Seang.

“It’s still in early stages as there are number of conditions attached which would need to be carried out after the demolition of the structures are completed,” he said.

According to earlier reports, the company plans to develop a 32.3ha parcel on the island into luxury hotels and residences.

However, some NGOs and political party Gerakan have protested the development as they claim it would affect the forest reserve there.

It was previously reported that there were plans to permanently gazette hundreds of acres on the island into a forest reserve, but those plans have not materialised yet.