Land Area: 2,734,740 sq.ft.
The Subject Property forms part of Penang Highland Forest Reserve and the Tat Stream Catchment Area Penang Hill. This property, known Bukit Cendana rises to a peak at 525 meters above sea level. It is located near, but it is separate from the rest of the Penang Hill and the Penang Hill Range. The Government Hill Forest reserve boundary is next to the subject property. Video tour: https://youtu.be/ngmiF8mF6uE
The hill top at 525 meters above sea level, is relatively flat and slopes steeply down to about 400 meters at the lowest point. At the top of the hill the land enjoys a panoramic view of the city, Tanjong Tokong and Glugor but it is partially blocked by tall trees which have grown around the former building site.
Formerly known as “Highlands House”, Bukit Cendana’s history spans back to the mid 1800s when it used to be the site of a retreat whose ruins from a fire in the early 1980s, are still visible at its peak. Bukit Cendana is a popular hikers’ destination amongst locals and foreigners alike. There are a number of popular trails leading up to Bukit Cendana including The 39 Steps Trail, The Hye Keat Estate Trail, The Moon Gate Trail, The Botanical Garden Trail via a metaled pilot road also known as Penang Hill Jeep Track, branching out from Station No. 47 mark or from the Point 84 (Rest Area).
Our site visit originated from the Botanical gardens to Point 84 on hired 4 X 4 trucks, a 4 minutes drive up to the Point 84 via the Penang Jeep Track. From point 84 to Bukit Bendera took us another 7 minutes drive. There is presently no motorable road access to the hill top. Details of the land title and planning provisions are tabulated below:-
Title No Registration No. 27840 – Grant (First Grade)
Lot No. 7
Town: Bukit Bendera
District: North East
State: Penang
Tenure: In Perpetuity
Land Area: 62.781 acres
Category of Land Use: Nil
Express Conditions The land comprised in this title:
a) shall not be affected by any provision of the National Land Code limiting the compensation payable on the exercise by the State Authority of a right of access or use conferred by Chapter 3 of Part Three of the code or on the creation of a Collector’s right of way; and
b) subject to the implied condition the land is liable to be re-entered if it is abandoned for more than three years, shall revert to the State only if the proprietor for the time being dies without heirs’ and the title shall confer the absolute right to all forest produce and to all oil, mineral and other natural deposits on or below the surface of the land (including the right to work or extract any such produce or deposit and remove it beyond the boundaries of the land)
Restrictions in Interest endorsed in the title: Nil
Other conditions/provisions: The land is subject to provisions of Land Conservation Act 1960. the important provisions that affect the utilization of the land are as follows:-
Section 5 – prohibition of short-term crops except permit. No person shall plant any hill land with short-term crops: Provided that the collector may issue an annual permit to plant specified short-term crops to any applicant who satisfies him that such cultivation will not cause appreciable soil erosion, and in such permit may prescribe the area of the land and terms and conditions under which such cultivation is permitted.
Section 6 – Restriction on clearing and cultivation on hill land
1. No person shall clear any hill land or interfere with, destroy or remove any trees, plants undergrowth, weeds, grass or vegetation on or from any hill land: Provided that it shall be lawful for the collector, on the application of the owner or occupier of any hill land, authorize by permit in writing under his hand, subject to such terms and conditions and to such extent and in such manner as may be specified in such permit-
a) the clearing of such hill land for the purpose of cultivation;
b) the clearing or weeding of such hill land under lawful cultivation.
Occupation: The property is not occupied
Services and Utilities: There are no piped water, electricity and telephone facilities in the immediate neighborhood
Town Planning: Penang Hill has been recognised as an area with special characteristic viz flora, topography and heritage. A local plan has now been proposed to identify suitable type of development and the extend of the development area to be allowed. The adoption of this plan will open up the hill for limited development and stimulate development activities in the locality.
Research as at 24 March 2021: The subject land (lot 7) falls under forest vegetation and conservation zone (sub-zone 8a). In a nutshell, land can be perused for agriculture purposes or nature recreational facilities, no new building development is allowed. Restoration of the existing building on the land is possibly permissible.
PRICE MYR 15,000,000-00 O.N.O