Penang is synonymous with its food galore and sandy beaches. Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it is the second-largest city in Malaysia by population (1.77 million in 2021). It stands as an economic powerhouse in Malaysia, teemed with many tourist attractions and dubbed the “Silicon Valley of The East.” Yet, some fall through the cracks in this fast-paced city. And to ensure the “Pearl Of The Orient” remain glistening, the plights of each and everyone should be heard.
As cities develop and job opportunities increase, more and more people are enticed to set up home in cities in hopes for a brighter future. The problem is that not many people can actually...
As of 2020, 7.1% (2.32 million) of Malaysia’s population are aged 65 and above1. The United Nations Population Project predicts that in less than twenty years (2045), Malaysia will be an...
Malaysia is the largest importer of labour in Asia1. Migrant workers (otherwise known as migrant or foreign workers) in Malaysia, implies a foreigner doing low-skilled work2.
The issues raised are aligned with the Global Sustainable Development Goals in order to build a future that is inclusive and sustainable for generations to come.
Significant data points to clue you in on the current situation
Significant data points to clue you in on the
current situation
State governments and local changemakers play a significant role in transforming the economic and social landscape of the place, especially for the marginalised and underprivileged communities.
Below is a list of some key Penang policies, plans and programmes that are currently in place:
Penang 2030, launched in 2018 is an action plan that focuses on improving livability, economy, civil participation and balanced development to achieve a “family-focused, green and smart state”. This will be achieved through three different initiatives:
“Placemaking Initiatives” in the state are being identified as focal points for positive efforts to develop Penang as a family-focused clean and green home for its inhabitants.
“Community-building Initiatives” aimed at engaging and empowering the population as a whole are underway, bringing agencies and elected representatives together for broad and deep impact on society.
Finally, the “Industry Engagement Initiatives” signify a tripartite effort between government, civil society and the private sector to build on Penang’s manufacturing ecosystem, broaden investor base and prepare for the digital future.
This masterplan is the key solution to meet the expected increase in residents travel demand over the next 50 years (2015-2065) as a result of higher employment and investments, population growth and the booming tourism industry. It hopes to
i) Reduce major traffic issues in Penang
ii) Lower travel expenses
iii) Reduce journey times
iv) Create job opportunities and
v) Provide various modes of transport.
Digital Penang is established to enable and orchestrate digital strategy to capture opportunities in the new economy and upgrade liveability.
To achieve these aspirations, the masterplan is aligned to Federal strategies as outlined in MyDigital, JENDELA and MDEC initiatives.
At the State level, this masterplan is will be aligned to all sub-plans such as Penang Connectivity Masterplan, SmartState Masterplan, Penang Green Agenda, Penang Tourism Masterplan. This is to ensure that the element of technology are congruent and consistent to deliver great experience and outcomes.
This plan only outlines the strategic initiatives for the first 3 years to set the foundation for transformation towards Penang 2030.
The Happiness in Penang (HIP) Index measures the quality of life in the state.
Four domains with the acronym FEEL was measured:
Freedom and Governance (F),
Economic Wellbeing (E),
Environmental Sustainability (E) and
Liveability and Social Wellbeing (L).
In general, it was found that the respondents’ satisfaction was higher in the domain of liveability and social wellbeing, where most indicators achieved a strong level of satisfaction.
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