Penang CM’s office defends land acquisition for PIL 2A road project, says RM24.2m in ex gratia paid

• It urged all affected parties, including residents, to comply with the legal process and vacate their premises or lots by April 15 to ensure smooth implementation of the project.

GEORGE TOWN (April 8): Land acquisition for public purposes under Phase 1 of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL 2A) project in Permatang Damar Laut here is being carried out in accordance with Section 3(1)(a) of the Land Acquisition Act 1960, the Penang chief minister's office said on Wednesday.

In a statement, it urged all affected parties, including residents, to comply with the legal process and vacate their premises or lots by April 15 to ensure smooth implementation of the project.

“For the record, April 15, 2025 marks the second extension after the first deadline ended on Feb 28,” the statement said.

The statement was issued in response to claims by 13 affected owners who had previously objected to the land acquisition on the grounds that the compensation (award and ex gratia) offered was inadequate.

The chief minister’s office explained that compensation awards were based on valuations by the Valuation and Property Services Department, and that the District Land Administrator had paid a total of RM24.27 million in ex gratia payments to affected parties since December.

It also detailed that the majority of the award amounts given to landowners, building owners, tenants, mortgage holders and others exceeded RM1.5 million each.

Additionally, three affected individuals without land titles received RM43,500 each in ex gratia payments even though their buildings were on government land.

A meeting and Q&A session between Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pictured) and affected residents was held on January 14, during which they were allowed to remain on-site until February 28.

“In accordance with procedures under the Land Acquisition Act 1960, the District Land Administrator has received Form N (Objection to Court) submissions from 30 interested parties involving 11 land lots.

“As a result, the land administrator has six months under the act to prepare Form O for court reference and the next stage of the hearing,” the statement added.

The chief minister’s office also stated that any appeal must be made through the legal process and that affected parties must abide by the court’s final decision.

The 5.3km Phase 1 of PIL 2A, a key component of the Penang Transport Master Plan, is intended to connect Silicon Island to the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.

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