Penang to Upgrade Eastern Seafront After Fort Cornwallis Restoration

Penang will begin upgrading its eastern seafront infrastructure after completing restoration works along the northern waterfront, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced.

Malay Mail reported that the project follows the restoration of Fort Cornwallis, which is set to officially open this Saturday, 26 July. The Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme along Beach Street and Weld Quay will be completed by year end.

The eastern seafront upgrade stretches from Swettenham Pier down to Weld Quay. Chow said the state aims to clean up the area, upgrade infrastructure, and plant more trees to strengthen Penang’s appeal as a tourism destination.

“There will be more to come to make Penang a relevant and attractive destination to visit,” he said at the launch of the 1926 Heritage Hotel Penang.

The hotel, which turns 100 years old, underwent a RM20 million refurbishment by its owner, Penang Development Corporation. Managed by The Ascott Limited, it features 78 rooms and employs 27 staff. It recently received a five-star rating from Tourism Malaysia and has recorded about 70 per cent occupancy in its first two months of operation.

Chow also urged the city council to step up traffic enforcement along Burma Road, where the hotel is located, to address bottlenecks caused by indiscriminate parking during weekends and peak hours. “Good development must be matched with good traffic management,” he said.