Penang inks RM250mil hostel project in Batu Kawan

The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) has inked a deal with Biopolis Resources Sdn Bhd to build a RM250 million hostel in Batu Kawan for migrant workers.

On a 99-year lease to Biopolis, which will manage the hostel, 43 units will be handed over to PDC after completion.

The project comes after similar workers hostel units were built in Juru and Batu Maung.

In a press conference in George Town today, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (above, centre) explained that Biopolis obtained the project after fulfilling a Request for Proposal.

Spanning 4.97 acres (2ha) of land in North Penang Science Park, the project will be completed in four years, he said.

Chow said the project will address various issues related to housing for hostel workers.

"We will be able to resolve issues such as housing shortage for foreign workers while addressing the issue of a hike in rental rates for residential flats.

"The project will provide safe and comfortable homes for foreign workers while addressing the drop in housing prices due to the units being rented to foreign workers," he added.

Covering five-phases, the project involves 684 units to accommodate 12,313 workers.

To be built according to the silver standard of the Green Building Index system, the project will also include eight commercial units, an area for public transportation, surau and non-Islamic religious spaces.

In 2018, Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state has about 200,000 migrant workers and the existing five housing projects (four on the mainland and one on the island ) can only house 10 percent of these workers.

Also present at the event was Biopolis director Jong East Full. - Mkini