GEORGE TOWN, Oct 7 — The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) welcomes any proposal from investors who want to develop catalytic and high-impact projects in the state.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also PDC chairman, said the corporation has also posted information on its website on the available land for development and those interested can submit their proposals.

"PDC treats each transaction on a case-by-case basis because it is not possible for every company to have the same components. In fact, PDC welcomes proposals that have a catalytic effect,” he told reporters after attending the Salvation Army Penang Open Day 2023 here today.

The chief minister was commenting on a press report in which Aspen Group clarified the situation surrounding the direct negotiation between it and PDC that led to its purchase of land for Aspen Vision City in 2014.

In the article, Aspen president and group chief executive officer Datuk M. Murly said it was neither reasonable nor logical to compare the direct negotiation between Aspen and PDC in 2013 and link it to PDC’s recent land sale in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2 (BKIP2) to UMECH Construction Sdn Bhd.

Chow said the Byram land (where the BKIP2 is being developed) was also void of infrastructure.

"So every case is different, and the fact of the matter is, it was done via direct negotiation.

"We encourage proposals for projects which are classified as catalytic (in nature) that offer a significant impact and which are able to attract other investments. So what the Aspen Group is saying is not an issue. They have the right to explain (their side of the story) but in fact it was also negotiated under different terms and conditions,” Chow said. — Bernama