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PETALING JAYA (Sept 17): More than 480 acres have been reclaimed for the planned 2,300-acre Penang’s Silicon Island. At the same time, RM1.9 billion had been invested in the project to date.
Helmed by Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SID), a joint venture between the Penang government and Gamuda Bhd, the reclamation works have involved more than 4,400 local contractors and employed over 900 Malaysians.
The figures were revealed by Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng in a Facebook post on Monday (Sept 14), marking three years since reclamation started in September 2023.
He said the reclaimed area included land for the planned Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) depot.
The project has expanded rapidly from the 60.7 acres recorded as reclaimed as of April 30, 2025, according to a May 2025 report by Scoop quoting state infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
Subsequently, the reclaimed area had reached 160 acres, New Straits Times reported in June 2025.
Land set aside for LRT depot
Citing SID’s website, the reclaimed land included designated areas for the Mutiara Line depot and the planned Green Tech Park. Preliminary depot works, including soil testing and infrastructure placement, were under way at the time.
The planned depot site is expected to cover about 70 acres and accommodate train stabling, cleaning, maintenance and repair facilities.
A study commissioned by SID and prepared by Deloitte Southeast Asia said Silicon Island’s master plan had provided for four Mutiara Line stations, subject to review before implementation.
The planned rail line is intended to connect Silicon Island with Penang International Airport and George Town.
Silicon Island is being developed off the southern coast of Penang island to expand the industrial ecosystem around Bayan Lepas.
The Deloitte study identified industrial land constraints as a potential impediment to Penang securing further high-technology and electronics investments.
It identified a planned 720-acre Green Tech Park as the development’s principal industrial component, supported by commercial, residential, institutional and public infrastructure.
Malay Mail reported in June 2025 that a RM390 million marine viaduct would be built to connect Silicon Island to the southern coast of Penang island.
The 380m link is expected to open to the public by December 2028, the report said, quoting chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Reclamation is expected to take between 10 and 15 years, according to Penang Infrastructure Corporation.
RM1.1 trillion projected GDP impact
Woo said that as Silicon Island entered its fourth year, attention should extend beyond reclamation progress and investment value to whether the development created higher-value employment, opportunities for local businesses and career prospects for Penang residents.
Bernama previously reported that Silicon Island was projected to attract RM74.7 billion in investment, contribute RM1.1 trillion to gross domestic product (GDP) and create about 220,000 employment opportunities.
The figures are long-term projections rather than investments secured, economic output generated or jobs created to date.
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