17/09/2026

THURSDAY | SEPT 17, 2026

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Penang proposed as platform to develop tech with China

Ganesh noted that Penang’s Freedom of Information Appeals Board had ordered disclosure on June 30, following an appeal by the group’s former chairman. The main agreement has been released but schedules and appendices are still outstanding. He urged the state to decide under Clause 18.1 before Oct 18, either serving termination notice or explaining why it intends to keep the agreement. “The state should enforce that requirement, explain its decision on termination and publish the complete agreement.“ This follows Chow’s Aug 13 remarks that the state must follow legal procedure and timelines to avoid legal complications, where he questioned who would bear damages if proper process was not followed. – By T.C. Khor KLIA standardises e-hailing entry fee SEPANG: KL International Airport (KLIA) has standardised the entry fee for e-hailing vehicles at RM2, inclusive of tax, across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, effective yesterday. The revised fee represents a reduction from the previous charges of RM3 at Terminal 1 and RM2.16 at Terminal 2, providing passengers with a single rate for e-hailing pickups at both terminals. Malaysia Airports said the standardisation is aimed at providing greater consistency and clarity for passengers and e-hailing operators, while supporting a more streamlined pickup experience across both terminals. Meanwhile, the enhanced e-hailing facilities introduced at Terminal 1 in August as part of its improvement initiatives have recorded encouraging improvements in operational performance. “Within one month of implementation, 99.3% of e-hailing drivers now complete passenger pickups and exit within the allocated 10-minute grace period, up from 49.4% previously, while daily vehicle volume entering the pickup lanes has decreased by 13.5%, from 8,124 to 7,024 vehicles. “This reflects improved control of e-hailing operations, with reduced unauthorised activity, unnecessary vehicle circulation and prolonged idling, while maintaining smooth access for genuine passenger pickups.” The enhanced system has increased peak-hour processing capacity from 302 to up to 660 vehicles per hour, enabling faster vehicle turnaround and smoother passenger pickup operations. According to KLIA Passenger Experience senior general manager Abd Hasman Abd Muhimin, the continued enhancements to KLIA’s e-hailing facilities reflect the airport operator’s commitment to improving the overall passenger journey while ensuring airport operations remain orderly, efficient and responsive to evolving needs. “At KLIA, every part of the passenger journey matters, including the experience of getting to and from the airport. By providing passengers with a comfortable indoor space to wait and giving drivers clearer timeframes, we are seeing better compliance, faster vehicle turnover and improved traffic flow.” The upgraded facilities at Terminal 1 include a Licence Plate Recognition system integrated with Passenger Information Display Screens, self-service kiosks, dedicated passenger waiting areas, structured pickup bays and on-ground marshals to assist passengers and facilitate traffic flow. The e-hailing system enables stricter monitoring and access control, helping to ensure only authorised e-hailing vehicles utilise the designated pickup facilities. E-hailing vehicles will continue to be allocated a maximum of 10 minutes at the kerbside pickup area to support better traffic circulation. – Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: Penang wants to position itself as a platform for Chinese and Malaysian companies to jointly develop and scale technologies for the wider Asean market, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said the proposed approach would leverage China’s scale, technology and industrial experience with Penang’s established semiconductor and manufacturing ecosystem, experienced talent and strategic position for Asean. “This is how we turn economic ties into shared competitive advantage,” he said at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at a hotel in Gurney Drive on Tuesday. He also said the next phase of China-Penang economic relations should create lasting value through technology, skills, stronger companies, new markets and opportunities for the people. Chow said Penang should aim to develop more companies that create AI products, intellectual property and businesses. “As AI reshapes industry, this becomes even more important.” He stressed that this would require closer links between Chinese companies, Malaysian o Plan would leverage Beijing’s scale, industrial experience with local manufacturing ecosystem, talent, strategic position for Asean: CM Ű BY T.C. KHOR

Chow (left) and Zhou attending the reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at a hotel in Gurney Drive on Tuesday. – T.C. KHOR/THESUN

and parts. About 90 Chinese companies now operate in the state, including Guangdong Fastrain Technology Malaysia and BYD Electronics. He said the partnership should ultimately be measured not only by the amount of capital moving between China and Malaysia but also the value created for companies, young people and communities in China, Malaysia and across Asean. Meanwhile, in his speech at the same reception, Chinese consul-general in Penang Zhou Youbin said China-Malaysia economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges continue to produce results, citing more than US$104 billion (RM420 billion) in bilateral trade in the first half of the year and more than 2.65 million visits by Chinese citizens to Malaysia. following day, another 27 students developed symptoms. He stressed that parents and guardians have been advised not to send symptomatic children to schools. He also said the school’s management has been directed to isolate symptomatic students from others. “Parents are encouraged to seek health examinations for their children if symptoms persist or worsen and to consider influenza vaccination through health facilities that provide the service.”

SMEs creating opportunities for joint development and participation in global value chains. He called for stronger links between industry, universities and talent, particularly in AI, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, so that knowledge could be translated into skills and commercial opportunities. He said Penang’s role could be to provide a platform on which Chinese and Malaysian companies develop and scale technologies together for the wider Asean market. Chow said Penang’s existing economic links with China provide a strong foundation for the next phase of cooperation. From January to July, Penang exported RM64 billion to China, accounting for half of Malaysia’s exports to China, with 81% comprising electrical and electronics products and local suppliers, Another 14 students suffered from upper respiratory tract infections and one was identified with conjunctivitis. “As of Tuesday, all students who had been assessed were reported to be in stable condition. The Perak Health Department will continue to monitor the situation, including new cases and laboratory test results, and strengthen control and prevention measures if necessary.” Earlier, Sivanesan said the school sent 57 students to a clinic on Monday, and the

Ipoh students diagnosed with influenza-like illness

Ű BY P. CHANDRA SAGARAN

IPOH: A total of 46 students from a boarding secondary school here were diagnosed with influenza-like illness influenza A cluster on Monday. Perak Human, Resources, Health, Indian Community and National Integration Committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan said the cases were detected after Health Department personnel screened 61 students who suffered from the symptoms.

Group disputes state’s legal reasoning on Jelutong reclamation GEORGE TOWN: A residents’ group has pushed back against the Penang government’s claim that legal complications are delaying a decision on the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project, arguing that the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) itself gives the state a clear way out. grounds of state interest, security or policy. He added that under Clause 18.2, the state itself decides what falls under those grounds. Ganesh said if the state believes ending the deal would trigger compensation or other legal fallout, it should identify which clauses lead to that conclusion and explain its reasoning. Citing Clause 1.1.1, which limits the “Additional Area” to land needed to secure the perimeter for rehabilitation works, Ganesh said the group’s reading of the EIA suggests that nearly all 28ha would go towards processing and recycling excavated waste.

He argued that a waste-processing need does not justify reclamation for security purposes, and urged authorities to approve only what is demonstrably necessary. He also raised concerns over using material recovered from the landfill as reclamation fill – arguing that calling it “recycled” does not establish environmental safety – and called for independent evidence that it is suitable for marine reclamation. The group is pressing for the JDA, including schedules and appendices, to be released.

The Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee, under the Bandar Sri Pinang Pulau Pinang Residents’ Association, wants the state to reject the developer’s proposed 28ha reclamation and hold the project to what it says are the JDA’s actual limits. Committee chairman Dr K. Ganesh said Clause 18.1 of the agreement signed between the state government, the Penang Development Corporation and PLB Engineering, which allows termination on no less than 30 days’ notice whenever the state judges this necessary on the

He also questioned how the reclamation component grew so significantly, stressing that PLB Engineering’s revised 2016 tender included no sea reclamation at all. When the JDA was signed in February 2020, Chow had indicated that up to four additional hectares would be reclaimed for embankment and perimeter wall works. By the time the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was released for public review in February 2025, that figure had risen to 28ha, he said.