On the heels of the failed attempt by the Penang Turf Club to sell all its immovable properties en bloccomprising 39 individual lots, the club is now seeking the mandate of its ordinary members to split the sale into eight separate parcels.
Parcel 1 – on which the historic club buildings and a nine-hole golf course sit – is the largest single parcel of land. Planning permission has not been applied for to convert its present use to other uses provided for in the Penang State Structure Plan 2030.
PGCC project and Penang Island draft local plan rejected
Earlier attempts to sell and develop the Penang Turf Club land into a humongous “Penang Global City Centre” was stopped by the incoming government in 2008 following widespread public opposition.
Penang island’s flawed draft local plan was withdrawn in 2024, after a plethora of public objections against high-density planning policies and guidelines.
In view of these developments, Penang Forum proposes that this site in the pending revised draft local plan be governed by a special area plan, parked under a single management body or special purpose vehicle to ensure that its uses are compatible with the original purpose and intention of the land grant.
Maintain original land use
The Penang Turf Club originally received a free land grant from the state government in 1864 along Macalister Road for recreational use (equestrian and golfing). In 1935, it acquired the present site of 230 acres in Bukit Gantung for M$250,000 (2.5 cents per square foot).
Over the last 160 years, the club has benefited generously from this operation. The land was zoned as recreational, though parts of it have been converted for residential development circa 2008.
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In the Penang State Structure Plan 2030 (RSNPP 2030), the site is identified as part of a ‘primary development corridor’ (“KKP 1 – Kawasan Keutamaan Pembangunan 1”), which allows for the designation of the following uses: commercial, residential, industry, infrastructure, utilities, public facilities, open space, quarry and government reserves.
Urban green space falls short
The special area plan must be a comprehensive, integrated and balanced plan, based on sound people-centric planning principles, that hits key targets of the 2030 sustainable development goals.
Among these goals is the need to provide ample, accessible and safe open spaces for city residents cooped up in mega high-rise buildings. The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 9sq m of urban green space per person in urban cities. Plan Malaysia has a target of 20sq m. Measured against these benchmarks, Penang island falls short with just 7.8sq m of urban green space per person.
World class park – not more high-rise buildings
Based on the precedent use of the site as an open space and green lung, the planning proposition should focus on a design that has a strong public interest content, a sense of historicity and generous sporting facilities.
In fact, Penang Island is in dire need of a new world-class public park. The liveability of a city is not measured by more high-rise concrete blocks, which Penang Island is inundated with; but by ample open spaces, a vibrant cultural scene, interesting historical heritage, an efficient public transport system, community engagement facilities and other environmental considerations.
The special area plan should incorporate the uses identified above and look beyond just the dollars and cents of the project, which contribute to the state of overbuilding in Penang and worsening traffic congestion by the day.
Consult public before approving
Pending the publication and display of the draft local plan for Penang Island and the development of a special area plan for the Penang Turf Club land, the Penang state executive council, the state planning committee, the state director of planning and the Penang Island City Council, as well as the state director general of lands and mines, should not approve any conversion of the Penang Turf Club land plots for any purpose, without public consultations and inquiries, as required under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. – Penang Forum
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
