Simply, Balik Pulau is poised to be a major administrative city for Southwest District of Pulau Pinang (out of five total districts in this northern state of Malaysia) -- note that Balik Pulau admin centre will also cover the Greater Bayan Lepas and Gelugor, i.e. MSC-status Penang Cyber Cities!
I'm still waiting for the announcement for a shopping bazaar... ;). Also, who among the fast food companies will step up to the challenge to open up the first fast-food restaurant in Balik Pulau? McDonald's, KFCs, Pizza Hut, Burger King, 1901 etc. -- are you listening?
Complex to be ready in August
Thursday May 3, 2007
PENANG:Come August, Balik Pulau can boast of having the state's biggest market.
The idyllic town that used to be synony-mous with sprawling durian plantations will soon be associated with a market, a pasar tani (farmers' market) and a bazaar.
Penang Municipal Council cleanliness, health, licensing and public education stand-ing committee member Dr Thor Teong Gee said construction work on the RM17mil complex was ahead of schedule.
It will replace the existing single-storey market which was built in 1914.
“We are confident that the project will be completed in the next three months. About 100 licensed traders will be relocated to the new double-storey market.
“The wet market on the ground floor will comprise 112 stalls while the dry market upstairs will have 62 lots.
“This month, we will be processing new licence applications and interviewing those interested in taking up stalls at the complex,” he said, adding that the existing pasar tani in Jalan Pondok Upeh nearby would also be relocated to the complex grounds.
“On Sundays, the road is closed to accom-modate the farmers' market. Once the complex is ready, the traders will have a more conducive trading area.”
Dr Thor said the development involved more than 4.8 ha of land and would include 350 parking bays and an eight-lane bus terminal.
“The council has not decided on whether to implement parking fees. We want to encourage the public to use RapidPenang when the bus system starts in August. Passengers can just park their vehicles and hop onto the bus to work,” he said.
Dr Thor said he was confident that the complex would be fully utilised.
“There is no chance of the building becoming a white elephant. The concept behind the project is to provide petty traders with proper facilities to conduct their business,” he added.
Apart from the market, the soon-to-be completed project comprises a community hall with three badminton courts, a stage and meeting rooms, a double-storey office for the council, a hawker centre and a shopping bazaar. Work on the project started in February last year.
SOURCE: The Star Online (North), Malaysia (3 MAY 2007)
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