What’s to become of Penang’s Sore Thumb?

(A history and update of "Sore Thumb" of Tanjong Bungah)

Around 2005 - Some reclamation

A piece of prime seafront public land on the Tanjong Bungah coast has been progressively reclaimed since 2000.  In 2006 when the reclamation became monstrous, residents in Tanjong Bungah began describing this rocky promontory as the ‘Sore Thumb’ as it stood out like one, marring the coastline between The Cove and Penang Swimming Club. 

2006 January. Green roof is Tanjong Club.
Crane is The Cove. White roof is Penang Swimming Club.

The original plot of land measures 1.5 acres and is identified by its land title as Lot 4658.  In 1994 the state government granted a lease, over Lot 4658, of 60 years (1994 – 2055) to Purerich Realty Sdn BHd at a cost of RM1 million. This was in spite of the fact that the company did not own any adjoining land and thus did not have any legal right to apply for the lease.  

2006 January with activities

 While the State government at the time knew about the irregularity of the lease, and the subsequent land reclamation, nothing was done to rectify the lease or stop the extension of Lot 4658 by way of dumping rocks off the coast.

2006 January Close-up 1

Three commercial attempts have been made to transform the land to a marina with lay out plans increasing in grandiosity with each attempt.  Planning permission was in fact granted in 1996 to Purerich to construct a marina, but after six extensions the planning permission expired in 2007 without any engineered foundation being prepared for the reclaimed land (Sore Thumb). 

2006 January Close-up 2

The lease of the land was then transferred to Province Valley Sdn Bhd in 2009 and by the following year plans were prepared for a bigger marina with a 7.7 acre pontoon to berth 80 boats alongside a 5-story hotel and retail outlets, but again the proposal came to nothing.

2013 By Anil Netto (http://anilnetto.com)

  More 2013 images from Anil Netto at Flickr

2016 September. Sore Thumb and One Tanjong entrance

The third and most recent attempt was in April 2015 when the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) called for tenders for a massive marina that would berth 200 – 400 boats, including super yachts (24 m or longer). Total land reclamation would be allowed for a maximum of 20 acres and would be leased for 99 years. The entire “study area” would span from Tanjong Tokong to Batu Ferringhi and 5 km into the sea, possibly engulfing the iconic Pulau Tikus island; a minuscule island steeped in local legends.  Fortunately, by June this year, this massive marina plan was discontinued.  

2016 September. Sore Thumb, future Coastal Park entrance.

Nevertheless the ‘Sore Thumb’ remains.  This mound of raw earth and rocks has become overgrown with shrubs and grass.  The Tanjong Bunga Residents’ Association (TBRA) has repeatedly appealed to and requested the State authorities to give this public space to the people of Tanjong Bunga. 

2016 September. Future Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park entrance

Nine years ago in 2007, the TBRA collected 1500 signatures from residents to petition for the ‘Sore Thumb’ to be converted to a public coastal park.  In 2010 the proposal was formally submitted to the State authorities, detailing the creation of three levels of recreational space; sports fields as well as paths for joggers and walkers thus creating a natural environment devoid of permanent structures to keep costs down and avoid pollution.  

2016 September. Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park entrance

This piece of reclaimed land can easily be converted to a public coastal park for all to enjoy.  The local State assembly representative, YB Teh Yee Cheu in 2012 called for the Sore Thumb to be preserved as a green lung under the Local Agenda 21 and to be gazetted as the Tanjong Bunga Coastal Park. The last thing the public want to see happen here is an exclusive, sprawling marina, restricting public access to the beach.

Ruk Uman

Penang

For more info, search this blog for "sore thumb".
Or search Anil Netto's blog: http://anilnetto.com/?s=sore+thumb

For Review NOW!!! Penang Structure Plan 2020

State Structure Plan 2020: Starting DECEMBER, you have your brief chance to review it and make comments!!!

Link to download docs: https://we.tl/7ETHQlROfR
Link to news story:
http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/191291/penang-get-feedback-revised-state-structure-plan-2020-next-month
 
"The state government had drew flak from many quarters for delaying the gazetting and review of the SSP, which was overdue since 2012."

"The state government will be gathering public feedback for a revised State Structure Plan 2020 (SSP) beginning December. ... the feedback from two-months of public viewing would be used as a base for the 2030 SSP draft. ... displayed at the State Secretary’s Office, Komtar; Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Prai Municipal Council.

One Page Summary: Objections against Copthorne re-development into 65 storeys

Objections against Copthorne re-development into 65 storeys

Imagine a KOMTAR in Tanjong Bunga !  A mixed development right on our beach !

A “travesty in the making”, says Michael Deeb, who leads the Cove residents’ opposition to the project. And indeed, there are monstrous plans now submitted to the Penang Council to destroy the current 22 storey Copthorne Hotel and replace it by a set of new buildings and car parks with a 65 storey tower close to the beach.

It would be a very high-density building with 217 apartments and 420 hotel rooms on a 2.5 acre site, translating into 254 units per acre.  That is almost double the allowed density in Kuala Lumpur (132) and way, way above the ideal maximum density in Tanjong Bunga which is 15 units per acre under the applicable rules of the Secondary Development Corridor.

By comparison, the 4 towers of the Cove only have 144 (admittedly huge) units, which translates into a density of 26 per acre, allowed under Primary Development Corridor rules, applicable to George Town.

The Cove would indeed be most affected by the towering ‘monster’ within 6 meters of its perimeter. At the MBPP hearing on 29 November, the Cove lawyers insisted on the need for preliminary studies (wind tunnel effect, traffic flow and setback rules), which were not provided or never done but necessary before the Council was to consider the project.

Another issue was zoning; currently the area is a tourist zone but it would have to be rezoned to allow for mixed development.  With all this pending it was hard to make precise objections to the proposed development.  Hence, for the Cove and Seahome residents, the hearing was considered premature. The Council will have to collect more information and then call for another hearing.

As direct neighbors, the Cove and Seahome residents are the only ones consulted by MBPP but it is clear that all of Tanjong Bunga will be affected. For at least 4 years if ever this plan is allowed to go ahead. Just imagine how many thousands of lorries will be crowding the service road and then the main road, first to cart off the debris of the old building and then to bring in the tons of concrete and what else it takes to construct Tanjong Bunga’s Komtar.

One of the plans is to build 5 storeys underground for car parks; but given that the hotel sits on a massive granite block, the digging can only be done by explosives; ergo, stop all traffic on Tanjong Bunga road ! The danger, noise, debris and dust will be unbearable for the people who live in Tingkat Laut, the now quiet Seahome street with just double storey bungalows within 4 to 6 meters of Copthorne land.  The explosions will shock and alarm people miles away, not least the Dalat School students, so close by.

At the press conference after the MBPP hearing, Michael Deeb, explained all this to reporters and showed them how close the new tower would be to the 4 Cove buildings. He also warned that it would harm investment. As an example, he noted that currently 71 of the 144 units of the Cove are owned by foreigners, the remaining 73 belong to locals, 50 of whom occupy their units, renting out the remainder to foreigners. He suspected that if Copthorne is given the green light, many of the owners will consider giving up on their investments and there will be more empty and low value apartments.   ENDS aa 30-11-16