GEORGE TOWN, July 15 – The Penang High Court has ruled to dismiss a Judicial Review (JR) application challenging the planning permission granted for the Penang Silicon Island project, previously known as Penang South Reclamation. The project, a cornerstone initiative of the Penang State Government aimed at positioning Penang as a global technology and innovation hub, has faced legal scrutiny since a JR application was filed on December 29, 2023.
The application, jointly filed by nine applicants including two NGOs, contested the legality and rationality of the planning permission granted by PLANMalaysia to the Penang State Government. Among the reliefs sought were declarations of the planning permission’s invalidity and requests for damages. However, the Court dismissed the application, citing procedural reasons related to the timing of the challenge and affirming the compliance of all approvals, including Environmental Impact Assessments and Social Impact Assessments, with relevant laws.
Zairil Khir Johari, Penang’s Executive Councillor for Infrastructure, Transport and Digital, expressed gratitude to the legal team and stakeholders involved in defending the project, confirming that the Penang Silicon Island project will proceed as planned.
