SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF GEM SOHO
SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF GEM SOHO
6 JANUARY 2020
YB Professor Dr. Ramasamy a/l Palanisamy
Deputy Chief Minister (II) of Penang
YB Phee Boon Poh
State EXCO for Environment, Welfare and Caring Society
YB Satees a/l Muniandy
Assemblyman for Bagan Dalam
YB Jason H’ng
Assemblyman for Jawi
His Excellency Mr. Lu Shiwei
Consul-General of The People's Republic of China in Penang
Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Sr. Haji Rozali bin Haji Mohamud
Mayor of Seberang Perai City Council
Dato Annie Chin
President of Penang Women Chamber of Commerce and Honorary Consul for Brazil in Penang
Dato' Sonny Ho
Managing Director of Belleview Group
Mr. Lionel Cheng
Managing Director of LTC Group
Councillors of Seberang Perai City Council
Yang Berusaha Ir. Hajah Rosnani binti Haji Mahmod
City Secretary of Seberang Perai City Council
Department Head of Seberang Perai City Council
The Management team of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Good Morning.
Firstly, I would like to thank Belleview Group & LTC Group for inviting me here today! It is indeed an honour for me to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony of GEM SOHO, part of the landmark 20-acre GEM master development that will transform the city of Seberang Perai in year 2022.
My heartiest congratulations to Belleview Group & LTC Group on this momentous occasion. The project is set to be the new heart and landmark in this region after the completion of the 20-acre master development of GEM SOHO, GEM Mall and Hotel. The completion of this project will surely lift the standard of living in Seberang Perai and bring great joy to the residences and the local community.
The Penang State Government is committed to transform Seberang Perai into an international city and the location of choice for investors and destination of choice for tourists and locals. For this project development, we envision a vibrant community that is filled with excitement and conveniences to live, work and play for the people of Seberang Perai and like what Dato’ Sonny Ho has mentioned just now, these are the core elements in the development, which is also in line with the state government’s Penang 2030 vision.
The Penang state government is committed to make Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) a success. We have an exciting pipeline of public infrastructure plans coming through Seberang Perai, as we anticipate that Transit Oriented Developments can create a more sustainable community and improve public health. A community with a strong and reliable transit system and elements of streetscaping can reduce vehicle dependence and congestion.
The Penang Transport Master Plan is critical towards not just attaining sustainable prosperity but also to deliver a liveable city with public transport connections.
As such, I am very pleased to announce that GEM will be the first Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in Seberang Perai. I’m glad to say that in a few years’ time, the enhanced connectivity in this area will certainly improve the traffic congestion issues significantly, promoting more travel conveniences, attract more foreign investment and of course, it will mainly serve to benefit our people.
With one of the biggest contractors in China which is CCCC (China Communication Construction Company) being appointed as the main contractor for this project, I am confident that their track record and experience will deliver this project with the highest standard of quality and timely completion, and that this exciting GEM development will attract the best talent, at the same time provide an exciting living environment for the residents of Seberang Perai.
In closing, I would like to congratulate Regata Maju Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company between Belleview Group & LTC Group, for the launch of GEM. I wish you all the best and look forward to its completion.
Thank you and a very Happy New Year to everyone!