The Penang state government says no final decision has been made on Pesta Pulau Pinang’s future location amid LRT development plans for its current site.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has not finalised the future of Pesta Pulau Pinang, as part of its festival grounds in Sungai Nibong will be acquired for the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit project.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said there is no concrete decision on whether the festival will stay or be relocated, with the event set for a six-year hiatus from next year to facilitate transit-oriented development works.
MRT Corporation, as the project developer, is scheduled to enter the site in April 2025 to begin constructing a depot and an LRT station.
Chow stated the land acquisition involves only a portion of the festival grounds, with the state government, agencies, and MRTC reviewing a master plan for the site’s redevelopment.
“We need to wait for the outcome of the master plan before we can finalise any decision on the festival’s future,” he told reporters after officiating Pesta Pulau Pinang 2025/2026.
He acknowledged public sentiment, especially among Penangites, who feel a sense of loss as the Sungai Nibong grounds hold nostalgic memories and have long been synonymous with the annual festival.
Chow added that should Pesta Pulau Pinang be revived in the future, it may no longer be possible to use the original site.
“There are currently no specific plans for relocating the festival, as we are still awaiting the completion of the master plan,” he said.
He earlier announced the 59th edition would be the final instalment before the six-year hiatus to make way for LRT and transit-oriented development construction.
The 29.5-kilometre LRT Mutiara Line will feature 21 stations at strategic locations and is expected to begin operations in 2031. – Bernama
