Come 2017, visitors to the island will be greeted by the sight of a new coastal township framed by iconic landmarks like the Penang Bridge and Komtar tower.

Attractions include a seafront park, floating restaurant, waterfront amphitheatre, water theme park, international convention centre, hotels and shopping mall. There will also be waterfront homes with private jetties and high-end condominiums for those who can afford them. 

The ambitious mixed residential and commercial development project, called The Light, will be developed by Jelutong Development Sdn Bhd (JDSB), a subsidiary of IJM Properties Sdn Bhd.  

With construction scheduled to start in late 2008, the 61.5ha reclaimed land project is set to transform the island’s eastern coastline into a breathtaking tourist attraction. 

According to IJM Corp Bhd chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Krishnan Tan, The Light is the “ultimate challenge” for the company under the Jelutong Expressway (JE) privatisation project. 

“We took on a challenge in 1997 to build the JE and despite the physical and technical challenges of implementing the project in the face of the Asian financial crisis, we delivered.  

“Now, the JE’s success as a privatisation project will be entirely driven by The Light which will also have a major impact on the state’s development. 

“An integrated waterfront living concept, The Light is a dynamic township which incorporates residential, entertainment, business, education and commercial com-ponents,” Tan said, adding that his company was currently conducting reclamation works.

“Under Phase One, six parcels of high-end residences will be developed over 17ha comprising 1,186 units. We expect completion in three to five years.

“Phase Two will see a commercial and retail centre being developed over 41.68ha of land.

“It will comprise twin gateway office towers, family resort, boutique and spa and business hotels; banquet and conference, dining and entertainment facilities; cultural hall, visitor centre and waterfront amphitheatre. 

“There will also be family, IT, fashion and activity malls with attractions like galleries, entrepreneurial incubators, recreational park, gourmet dining, floating restaurant, water taxi, water theme park, miniature golf, skating ring and rock climbing course,” said Tan, adding that Phase Three would be developed into a 2.8ha seafront park. 

The project was announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon at e-Gate last Friday. Also present at the launching ceremony were IJM Properties Sdn Bhd managing director Teh Kean Ming and JDSB director Datuk Syed Mohamad Aidid.