While the Design Village Outlet Mall opened in Batu Kawan in 2016, everyone knows that folks from Penang who live on the island usually rarely take the time to cross the bridge and over to the mainland.

Some even go as far as to somewhat consider it to be another state altogether. Aiyo, don’t be like that lah, Penang lang. Like KL citizens, the people of Penang love to shop with Gurney Plaza and Queensbay Mall being favourite local haunts.



Whether you’re of like mind or if you’re just a shopaholic (okay, guilty), you’ll be glad to know that Mitsui Outlet has plans to open a brand-new mall near the Penang International Airport (PIA) which is located at Bayan Lepas.

The plans were first announced in 2018 when Penang Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman mentioned that it would be part of PIA’s expansion.

However, Penangites will have to wait a little longer for the opening as Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd and joint venture partner Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd have yet to receive the go ahead from state authorities, which they hope to do by Q3 2022.

In an exclusive interview with NST Business, TJ Cheah, who is managing director of MFMA Development, a joint venture between the two companies, mentioned that the launching date may be announced in the next month or two.

Besides being Penang’s second outlet mall, it would also be the second Mitsui Outlet in the country. The first being Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang, which opened its third phase to the public this year. The factory outlet shopping mall offers a a myriad of upper-middle to high-end off seasoned brands and products at incredible discounts. Discounted Kate Spade, Adidas and Superdry products? On lah.

They even have a space for those who delight in all things Japanese called Japan Avenue that introduces art, culture, music and food from the East Asian nation. This means Penangites can look forward to the same sort of discounts at the upcoming mall.



For those who aren’t familiar with the name Mitsui, they are one of the largest corporate groups in the world and are behind the Isetan department stores. They also opened Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, the very first LaLaport mall in Southeast Asia which cost a staggering RM1.6 billion.

Image source: @MOPKLIA, mitsuioutletpark.klia.com.my; airports.malaysiaairports.com.my;