PDC’s request for proposal gets lukewarm response
GEORGE TOWN: A request for proposal put out by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) for the development of a golf resort and a mixed development project in Batu Kawan, on mainland Penang, has received lukewarm response.
Business Times learnt that only one Penang-based company had submitted its bid for the land when the tender closed on Tuesday.
It is further learnt that at least three property developers — including some from the Klang Valley — had purchased the tender documents earlier.
The 230ha site at Bandar Cassia is close to the landing point of the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge between Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai and Batu Maung on the island.
The request for proposal is said to be the second put out for the project.
Part of the land involved in this latest request for proposal became available after Eco World Development Group Bhd and PDC agreed in June to rescind a Letter of Award dated March 26 last year for a proposed RM10 billion mixed project in Batu Kawan.
Eco World’s survey revealed that the planned 18-hole golf course would require more land than earlier estimated, thus impacting the viability of the project.
In 2008, the Penang government had announced that a RM350 million golf course would be jointly developed by DK Enc Co Ltd of South Korea and local company Ideal Group.
It is learnt that the project, which did not take off, was to be sited on the same piece of land mentioned in the request for proposal.
The state authorities at the time had said that the golf course was expected to be completed by the end of 2011 while the project’s additional development, including a theme park and water taxi service from Penang island to Batu Kawan would be completed in four to five years’ time.
Meanwhile, the PDC on November 4, had put out an advertisement inviting companies to submit development proposals for an international theme park and mixed development in Bandar Cassia, totalling 48.5ha.
The closing date for this latest tender is February 6 next year.
Eco World’s survey