GEORGE TOWN, December 11 — The Penang government has set a goal of reclaiming approximately 400 acres (161.87 hectares) of land each year for the Silicon Island project, with plans to commence construction on the first factory as early as 2026. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow revealed that since the project’s initiation in October, a five-acre (2.02-hectare) area has already been reclaimed, utilizing two boats with a capacity of 7,000 cubic meters of sand each. To accelerate progress, dredging works will intensify next year with the addition of two more boats, each with a larger capacity of 20,000 cubic meters.
The Silicon Island project, expected to replicate the success of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, aims to expand Penang’s industrial land and boost the growth and competitiveness of the state’s electrical and electronic manufacturing sector. Chow expressed confidence in Silicon Island’s potential impact, stating that it would contribute significantly to the state’s economy. The project includes the construction of the high-technology industrial park Green Tech Park (GTP), a global business services and software hub (GBS Campus), commercial developments, housing, and green recreational areas.
The expected outcomes encompass a Gross Domestic Product of RM1.1 trillion, an investment of RM74.7 billion, and the creation of 220,000 job opportunities. Reclamation work on the 2,300-acre Silicon Island is slated for completion by 2032, while the overall development is projected to span approximately 25 years. Today, Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, along with state officials, visited the reclamation site to assess progress.
