GEORGE TOWN, January 6 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today paid an official visit to the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) at The Light City, underscoring its strategic importance in strengthening the state’s economic growth and expanding its meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister I Y.B. Dato’ Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, State Executive Councillors and Senior Officials, the visit was hosted by IJM Perennial Development, the master developer of THE LIGHT Waterfront Penang.
PWCC, the flagship MICE anchor of Phase 2 of THE LIGHT Waterfront Penang, features 7,318 square metres of column-free convention space capable of accommodating up to 10,000 delegates, making it the largest convention centre in northern Malaysia.
Strategically integrated within The Light City, the facility is supported by retail, hospitality, office, residential and leisure components, positioning Penang to attract major international events and strengthen its competitiveness as a regional MICE hub.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said Penang’s MICE industry recorded an estimated economic impact of over RM1 billion in 2025, benefiting sectors such as transportation, retail, hospitality and supply chains.
With PWCC now operational, he said the economic impact is expected to rise further in 2026 as demand for event hosting continues to grow. Chow noted that the sector’s positive momentum has been driven by the active roles of the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) and Penang Global Tourism (PGT), with PWCC expected to serve as a key catalyst at both regional and national levels.
Chow stressed that the addition of PWCC is not meant to compete with existing facilities but to accommodate increasing demand from organisers and visitors choosing Penang as an event destination.
He added that the integrated mixed-use development — comprising a convention centre, shopping mall, offices and hotel — plays a catalytic role rather than contributing to an oversupply of retail space, as it provides essential support facilities for MICE activities and surrounding developments.
IJM Perennial Development director Datuk Tony Ling Thou Lung said the Chief Minister’s visit marked a significant milestone, with PWCC already hosting several high-profile international events since opening in late October 2025.
He added that the RM4.5 billion freehold project, a joint venture between IJM Corporation Bhd and Singapore-based Perennial Holdings, reflects a carefully planned integrated development that will enhance Penang’s long-term vision for a connected, liveable and economically vibrant waterfront precinct.
