A walk through Komtar

The car park was full and I have to wait for another car to come out of the car part before I can go in to park my car. Yes, there are other car parks located in different locations of the shopping mall.  The car park was the one below the Penang Chief Minister's office. It was near the place I was going to visit. 

After going up the escalator, I proceed to walk towards Prangin Mall. The last time I visited Komtar was many months ago and to my surprise the place was getting more and more cleaner and well lighted up.  There was a corner to show the history of Penang and now , I could see that the State Government have included Malacca. As I walk along into the open space, I could see that all the make shift businesses have gone.  It was quite messy when it was under the previous BN government.  As I walk along , I notice the space previously occupied by lifestyle super mart was covered into a row of  IT shops leading the way to the entrance of Prangin Mall.  It was a welcomee sight as it was brightly lighted up and a long row of shops selling all the computer accessories. The route from Komtar to Prangin Mall was a dark path and eerie place to pass through.  Ow, I could see that Komtar have been gradually improved and upgraded.

The founder of Komtar was the late, Tun Lim Chong Yu. He was responsible to create the silicon valley of Penang and also the Penang Bridge. He is no less capable than the late Steve Jobs as he had build the foundation for the Great Penang. So, the effort of the current Chief Minister , Lim Guan Eng have done a very good job in maintaining the good image and reputation of the core building in Penang which house the CM office.

Lets put politics aside and we open our eyes to see the difference in Penang after three years of Opposition rule. The heritage buildings have been repainted and renovated to capture its previous glamour and the streets are more cleaner and the development have been at very fast pace and vibrant. Hopefully, things will continue to happen positively for Penang.

It was not the end of my walk. On my way back from Prangin Mall, I passed through the 4th floor of Komtar. The place was still clean and lighted up but many shops have closed their business due to the lack of traffic of shoppers. This level have become a haven for small entertainment and food business. It was very quiet and this is the sorry part of my walk. Good space goes to waste. More efforts needs to promote the place as a shopping paradise.

Coming to the real fact, there are many new Malls are coming up on the Island.  Apart from the QB,SQ and GP,  the work in progress is on for Paragon Mall, the Bellview Mall, SP Mall and the rejuvenated Island Plaza mall. Some of the Malls are still at the planning stage. However, the population  of Penang is still the same and gradually growing , so the same people are going to these Malls on the off season period except during festival days and the school holidays. For retirees, we can go to one different Mall per day to window shopping and spending our time there if our legs can carry us. Maybe the investors are thinking long term, that is build today and cater for tomorrow as the land is in limited supply  and the calculations cannot be wrong.

Yes, it will come a time, when the retirees can visit two different Malls per day in a week but can our legs carry us. One day , the supply would exceed the demand and it will based on the outstation visitors or tourist. This will happen on the opening of the second bridge and many cars will be on the island. Can the narrow streets of Penang handle this influx? If nothing is done, there will be massive jams and the peaceful life in Penang will be  gone. forever.

;Namaste.