THE state government is mulling over a proposal to bring the old ‘Sia Boey’ — formerly Penang’s oldest wholesale market — back to life under the Komtar Phase 5 project.
Among the ideas mooted by Think City Sdn Bhd senior fellow Dr Neil Khor Jin Keong were to have a cultural centre, library, residences and shoplots in the area.
Sia Boey on Lebuh Tek Soon, is part of the Komtar Phase 5 project which also encompasses Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong and Jalan Maxwell.
Comprising five phases, the Komtar project undertaken by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), was launched in 1974.
“Think City is the secretariat for BIDs (Business Improvement District Scheme).
“Our work scope is solely to look at public areas but we were requested by PDC to give our input on the (privately-owned) Komtar project,” he said.
Dr Khor was speaking during the BIDs presentation to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last Thursday.
Lim said the state government wanted more green spaces and public areas for people to converge.
The rejuvenation of ‘Sia Boey’ was also part of Barisan Nasional’s alternative blueprint for the development of Penang.
MetroNorth had reported last week that the proposal to turn the island into an international tourism hub would include a ‘Sia Boey’ town square concept to capture the feel of old Penang.
Clearing the surrounding waterways to allow small boats to enter from the clan jetties in Weld Quay to the old market spot, taikong in traditional costumes rowing boats, a floating market and the setting up of stalls selling popular local dishes and trendy coffee outlets, were among the suggestions.
In March last year, State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow announced that the Penang government would adopt the BIDs to rejuvenate the inner city.
BIDs committee chairman Datuk Rosli Jaafar, who was present at the press conference, said working closely with the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) was crucial for BIDs’ success.
“BIDs is not just about physical development and programmes but it’s also about getting the surrounding businesses to utilise their respective budgets in a way that can have a bigger collective impact and benefit,” Rosli, who is also the PDC general manager, said. - The Star
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