Speaking to reporters in Komtar, Chow said Penang was a growing regional manufacturing hub populated by multinational firms which are required to comply with best practices under international labour laws.

His comments followed protest against the planned construction of two foreign workers’ dormitories in Teluk Kumbar, with locals citing concerns about social ills and heavier traffic.

A Dec 30 protest saw nearly 1,000 people voicing resistance to the planned dormitories, which they said would have a total of more than 30,000 beds – double the 15,000 population there.

Acknowledging that the planned dormitories had caused “a lot of unease” within local communities, Chow said that with properly planned dormitories such as the one in Permatang Batu Maung, workers would stay in their quarters, doing away with the need to interact with locals.

He also said these dormitories had facilities so that workers would not need to leave the premises.

Separately, Chow said he received a delegation from the Balik Pulau Umno division to discuss the planned dormitories in Teluk Kumbar yesterday.

He said he had since instructed the Penang Island City Council to hold a briefing for locals in Teluk Kumbar about the matter.