No News Is Bad News
The unreliable, unhelpful DAP assemblyman starts talking big again for Penang elections
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20, 2023: Remember Majestic Heights? The housing project in Penang’s Paya Terubong that was abandoned for about 20 years.
Well, its has been revived and completed by White Knight PLB Land Sdn Bhd (PLB), occupied and given a new name, The Stone.
With the state elections around the corner, the then Penang State Executive Councillor in charge of housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo, is again spewing propaganda to boost his chances to retain his Datuk Keramat seat.
This DAP assemblyman is reminded how unhelpful and unreliable he was in 2016 when he could not even arrange a meeting with PLB for the buyers.
If a man in charge of the state’s housing matters could not even arrange for a meeting with a developer, do you think he is capable and reliable to voters and Penangites?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below what he is trying to project himself of what he is not and a blog posting of what happened:
MALAYSIA
Face me: Jagdeep bins claims against Penang housing policy
Datuk Keramat assemblyman calls on critics to meet him to clarify facts on affordable homes
Updated 2 hours ago · Published on 20 Jun 2023 10:52AM
Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo has told critics of the state government’s housing policy to meet him so he can clarify facts regarding affordable housing units. – Alchetron pic, June 20, 2023
BY Ian McIntyre
GEORGE TOWN – State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo has called on critics of the state government’s housing policy to have a face-to-face discussion with him.
Responding to claims that the policy remains unfulfilled in the state, Jagdeep said he is willing to clarify the matter rather than allow them to believe in “lies and slander”.
“The facts and figures recorded in the state depict a different outcome altogether about housing units,” he said.
While the Datuk Keramat assemblyman did not name the critics, it is believed that he was addressing the criticism by Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) politicians in the run-in towards the upcoming state elections.
The politicians had reportedly said that affordable housing in Penang remains out of reach for the working class here.
“If you have any problems, come and see me. I will give you the exact picture of the state of our affordable housing.
“You hurl empty accusations, and in the end, it hurts the civil service who are hard at work to ensure that everybody gets a home here.”
Speaking at the recent launching of the state’s first urban regeneration housing project, Bandar Mahsuri, the eldest son of the late DAP stalwart leader Karpal Singh pointed out that Penang has actually exceeded its housing target.
“Under Pakatan Harapan (PH) 2018 state manifesto, 76,365 affordable units of various categories were promised.
“Now, Penang has built up to 100,155 units as of today.
“The state is now on track towards achieving an affordable housing range of 220,000 units when it achieves its Vision 2030,” he said.
The development masterplan is part of the Pakatan Harapan-led state government to transform Penang into a global cityscape.
“Penang is also the first to lead the nation in terms of completion to affordable housing units and the state also has the lowest price of RM42,000 compared to other states, whose lowest range is around RM60,000.
“On top of this, the state also offers a unique rent and buy scheme where the poor get to rent homes with a monthly fee of RM200 for a period of 15 years.
“After which, they will become owners of the homes that they are leasing now,” he said. Penang, he said, is now actively pursuing urban regeneration projects by taking over old and abandoned housing schemes and offering them to developers to redevelop into affordable housing schemes with social amenities.
“Another critical aspect of future development is reclamation. Although essential, (it) takes time, so we are going into urban regeneration.”
“Penang has been looking at the development models in Hong Kong and Singapore, as the state is lagging behind other island-centric economies in terms of regenerating old living spaces,” he said.
At Bandar Mahsuri, which is being developed by the Hunza Development Group, five blocks consisting of 1,800 urban regeneration units will be built in the Bayan Baru satellite township.
The majority of the units will be sized at 850sqft with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Meanwhile, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit slammed PN for showing that they still do not understand Penangites and have a total lack of respect for the state,
“They believe that taking Penang is just a move to add to the collection of states under their control,” said Lee, in reference to the launching of the PN election machinery by its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last weekend.
Muhyiddin had claimed that there is a chance for PN to reclaim Penang despite an uphill battle as the state has long become the bastion for Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“Penang is the beacon of tolerance and harmony. We have set an example for the country and therefore we are protective of our way of life, culture and proud history,” said Lee.
“Do you think we take it lightly for PN to come in and try to seize the state with their brand of toxic politics by exploiting race and religion to drive a wedge between us?”
“Penangites over many decades have always been very protective of our way of life. our tolerance and harmony. We are not about to let PN bring their toxic politics into Penang.”
“PN underestimated the people here, taking the state for granted and the voters will teach the opposition a lesson that they will never forget,” said Lee. – The Vibes, June 20, 2023
Monday, 29 October 2018
This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!
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| A meeting of empty promises! |
This is how shitty the Penang state government has become!
This is not a tall tale but a real story faced by abandoned housing buyers in Penang, specifically the Majestic Heights (MH) victims.
MH was abandoned for more than 20 years and was revived by a so-called “White Knight” developer - PLB Land Sdn Bhd - in 2016
The story goes like this:
You buy an apartment (condominium) some 20 years ago and the housing project was abandoned after you have paid up to 30% in progress payments and various other fees.
Some 500 buyers then took the developer to court and the latter was liquidated or bankrupted.
The three parcels of land on which the project is located is then, after some 20 years, sold by the liquidator (of MH) to a “White Knight” (PLB) for only RM1 each.
So, MH is now revived by PLB and under a new name - The Stone - in 2016.
Very well and good. But what about MH buyers, several of whom had died waiting for their dream home that they had invested with their life savings?
Then rides in the “hero” (the Penang state government) and the state executive councillor in charge of housing (in this case Jagdeep Singh Deo) who had two meetings with the buyers’ association.
He proudly declares that MH has been revived by PLB under The Stone and that all MH victims would be given priority and automatic qualification to buy the units which are classified as affordable housing units.
Those who did no wish to take up the units are then compensated by PLB by a certain quantum of package (way below what the buyers had invested).
When the buyers asked Jagdeep not to treat MH buyers as affordable housing buyers and to waive the conditions that are attached, Jagdeep said: “That is not a problem!”
Isn’t that pleasing to hear, a God-sent Saint to say the least!
Well, today, it is not only a problem but more and more woes.
MH buyers are not automatically qualified to buy The Stone units. Buyers who have reached retirement age are unable to secure loans can then nominate their children or relatives to take up a unit.
However, many children of buyers have been rejected after state government screening under the affordable housing scheme.
It gets even more ridiculous. A buyer, who is now staying in Johor, has been rejected because he is NOT A REGISTERED VOTER in Penang!
Well, Mr Jagdeep Singh Deo and Mr Penang state government! What the hell has buying a house in Penang by Malaysians got to do with registered voters?
Did MH buyers buy MH units originally under the affordable housing scheme? If not, why are they being treated as such?
Did MH buyers buy their units as REGISTERED PENANG VOTERS? If not, WTF!
So, Penangites and Malaysians, be careful with what you wish for when electing a “caring government” of your choice. It may instead turn out to be a monster!
What a shitty state government!
This is so-called offer letter from PLB after PLB reached some agreement with the Penang state government on the revival of :
