Media statement by Lim Guan Eng on the announcement of Penang Learning Centre and Penang Badminton Academy at Kampung Buah Pala in Komtar on Tuesday, 24^th April 2012: 

Penang Learning Centre and Penang Badminton Academy  

The Penang state government welcomes the contribution of ECM Libra Foundation and its 3 partners Lim Kian Onn, Dato Seri Kalimullah Hassan and Dato' David Chua Ming Huat for the construction of the proposed Penang Learning Centre and Penang Badminton Academy. ECM Libra will be financing in full the contribution cost of the building estimated at RM4 million.

The 2.9 acres of state owned land is located near Kampung Buah Pala in Sri Delima and Bukit Glugor. The built up area of the Penang Learning Centre and Penang Badminton Academy will occupy 1 acre. Upon completion, the 2 buildings will be handed back to the state government, who will then manage the 2 buildings.

The RM4 million Penang Learning Centre (PLC) and Penang Badminton Academy (PBA) will take 18 months to complete. A library, 7 classrooms for tuition and language classes, 6 - 8 badminton courts and a canteen will be provided. Amongst the languages focused on will be foreign languages apart from Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil. Users will be able to have their meals and refreshments within the buildings.

The Penang state government believes that the PLC and PBA will serve the community in terms of providing a unique location where underprivileged students will have an affordable place to seek tuition and learn new languages as well as excelling in badminton. This is the first library built by the PR state government and also the first Penang Badminton Academy in Penang.

Recently, ECA International reaffirmed George Town is the most livable city in Malaysia, ranking 8th in Asia and 73rd globally. George Town outranked Kuala Lumpur for the first time in 2011 when George Town retained its position as 8th most livable city in Asia whilst Kuala Lumpur slipped to No.9. George Town proved that this achievement was no fluke but a fact when George Town retained its 8th most livable city in Asia in 2012 whilst Kuala Lumpur again slipped down to 10th. For George Town and Penang to maintain our hard won status as the most livable city in Malaysia, more recreational and learning facilities are needed. For this reason, Penang warmly welcomes this social initiative by ECM Libra and its 3 partners.

The state government wishes to thank ECM Libra Foundation for its generous contribution towards promoting education and mastery of languages especially amongst the young. This will help Penang attain its aspirations of becoming an international and intelligent city that is clean, green, safe and healthy.The state also hopes that the Badminton Academy will create more world badminton champions from Penang in years to come.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister