Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the draft plan is expected to be approved some time next year.

He said the Seberang Perai local plan is also expected to be finalised by the end of the year, having gone through the necessary public review.

In July 2023, Chow ordered the Penang Island City Council to rework the island’s first-ever development master plan, which had been plagued with numerous errors and inconsistencies.

The 2030 Penang island local plan, which determines the density and types of developments over the next decade, was criticised for lacking public participation and having inconsistencies in critical areas like heritage protection and skyline preservation.

Chow also urged state governments and local councils to follow national development plans created by the federal town planning agency, PlanMalaysia, instead of creating their own local plans.

He said the national plans already offered clear guidance and can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each area.

“States and local councils don’t need to struggle with resources if they use the national structure plans,” he said on the sidelines of the state-level World Town Planning Day event here.

“PlanMalaysia’s strategy is aligned with the country’s goals to become a smart nation and smart city. The blueprint is already there, the states just need to make adjustments for their local needs.”

He said this approach would help states avoid extra work and ensure they are following a clear and consistent plan, adding that they need not reinvent the wheel.