Developer gets court nod to revive project
25/08/2007 The Star By Koay Shiann Huah

THERE are plans to revive the Bayan Central project in Bayan Baru, Penang, after it was abandoned for nearly 10 years.

Bayan Central pro-tem committee chairman Tham Kok Sin said a local property developer, Interglobal Resources Sdn Bhd, had recently obtained court approval to revive the project.

“The company will resume the project once its new plans are approved by the Penang Municipal Council.

“We (the purchasers) are glad that our nightmare is finally coming to an end and hope the council will quickly approve the revised layout plan,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Also present were committee treasurer Era Dutta Gupta and secretary Bertie Tye.

Tham said the new developer planned to convert the commercial complex into a hi-tech digital lifestyle mall and rename it Wiki World.

After the long wait, most purchasers welcomed the project revival, he added.

He also urged the state government to award freehold status for units within the complex in view of the hardship suffered by purchasers when the project was abandoned.

The RM100mil Bayan Central project was developed by Bayan Galleria Development Sdn Bhd on a 1ha plot and was supposed to accommodate business and retail shoplots, a food court and over 300 parking lots.

The project was scheduled for completion in 1999 but Bayan Galleria went into receivership that year.

Over the years, the uncompleted project became an eyesore in the Bayan Baru town centre. On Aug 6 this year, the new developer obtained a court order to revive the project.

Tham said the project’s revival was timely in view of the state government's efforts to draw more investors and tourists to Penang.