BUTTERWORTH: IT was touted to be a future inter-modal transport and commercial development hub for Penang and the northern states.
That was more than six years ago when the multi-billion ringgit Penang Sentral project was first mooted.
However, despite the massive and futuristic development proposed on a 9.6ha site near the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal and KTM station in Butterworth, little has changed.
A recent check showed that the site, the size of about 13 football fields, has hoarding around it, and signs of intrusions were obvious.
A Streets interview revealed that the public, especially regular ferry users, were appalled by the delay in the construction of Penang Sentral.
Ibrahim Abdullah, from Kuala Kangsar, Perak, said the current facilities were poorly maintained and he had to climb four flight of stairs to reach the nearby train station from the bus terminal.
Among the facilities are a temporary bus terminal, ticketing office, a food court and a ramp to the KTM and ferry terminals.
“The last time I was here, the escalator was working but I found that it often breaks down.
“This is not very good for senior citizens like me,” said the 72-year-old pensioner.
Another ferry commuter, who only wanted to be known as Siti, said the escalators were supposed to be repaired last month.
“Nothing has been done and I have contacted someone at the developer’s office but to no avail,” said the 50-year-old housewife.
Newspaper vendor, Najumudin Ahmad, 60, said Penang Sentral was to be one of the major infrastructures in Penang after Komtar and the two Penang bridges.
“I hope it will become a reality just like the many great developments carried out by the government . I hope I will be able to see it done,” he said.
Singaporean, Pak Yue Yun, 65, a regular visitor to Penang, said a transport hub was critical for Penang to boost its tourism sector.
“You need an integrated transport hub for easy travel. Penang’s public transport is much better now, and the project will surely benefit local and foreign travellers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the site for the main complex of Penang Sentral project looked abandoned and overgrown with lalang.
Vagrants have set up makeshift tents to sleep in the area at night. It has turned into a dumping ground, littered with drink cans and food wrappers. It is an
eyesore since the project site is visible to ferry users approaching the Butterworth terminal A ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase of the project which
involved the construction of the transport hub was officiated by the then prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on July 31, 2007.
The first phase, costing about RM400 million, comprised an integrated transport hub for ferries, buses, taxis, trains and a retail site.
Penang Sentral, which is part of the Northern Corridor Economic Region initiative, was to be developed by Malaysian Resources Crop Bhd and Pelaburan
Hartanah Bumiputera Bhd.
It was reported then that the design and construction of Penang Sentral would be handled by the firm, Veritas Architects, and be modelled after Kuala Lumpur Sentral.
It was also reported that construction of the transport hub, the new gateway to the Northern Corridor, would start in the first quarter of 2009 and be completed by 2011 while the entire commercial development would conclude in 2015. Additional reporting by Balvin Kaur and Rahmat Khairulrijal
Read more: Stalled Penang Sentral project an eyesore - Central - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/stalled-penang-sentral-project-an-eyesore-1.399428#ixzz2kaC0kNbq
Adoiyaa..nampak lak bulu hidung pakcik ni..hahaha
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