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Into its fourth term, Penang DAP-led govt sticks out like a sore-thumb in socio-economic delivery

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21, 2023: The DAP-led Pakatan Harapan (PH) Penang government is into its fourth term of governance.

Has it really delivered for Penangites? To a certain extend, it has - Penang is cleaner and its two city halls are much better managed.

Other than tht, it really has not delivered crucial socio-economic woes - like low-cost housing and tourism development.

In tourism, Penang’s famed “hawker fare” is fast losing its glamour, taste and quality are questionable, and it’s expensive.

More and more Malaysians have started comparing Penang food with those in Ipoh! The food in the neigbouring state is so much cheaper and equally tasty.

Now, the New Straits Times has reported Penang’s alleged low-cost housing farce.

Whatever, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his executive councillors simply have no excuse, whatsoever, for failing to deliver on low-cost housing or even its so-called affordable housing (its pricing is really not so affordable).

No News Is Bad News reproduces below news related to the issues:

Low-cost housing farce in Penang?

By Audrey Dermawan - September 20, 2023 @ 4:07pm

Penang Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-chairman Ravinder Singh says the state Housing Department is fully aware of the issue. -NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government have been told to put its foot down on backdoor practices that are hiking up the price of low-cost housing in the state.

Such practices, according to Penang Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-chairman Ravinder Singh, makes a mockery of the state government's low-cost housing scheme.

Explaining, he said, the state government offered houses at certain fixed prices (RM42,000 for two-room units, RM72,500 for three-room units and RM150,000 for bigger units).

He, however, claimed developers refused to sell at the offer prices.

Instead, he said, they called the shots by compelling purchasers to sign up for 'Renovation Packages' that cost as much as or even more than the offer price, charging extra for higher floors starting at around RM1,000 from 5th floor upwards and increasing by each floor and alsoc harging extra for corner units.

"Why are developers allowed to sell low-cost housing in this exploitative manner?

"It should be made illegal and any developer engaging in it should be blacklisted.

"This practice has been going on for a long time, and as such, it has to be stopped at all cost," he said today.

Penang Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-chairman Ravinder Singh (right) speaking to reporters during a press conference in Persiaran Gurney. -NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

Elaborating, Ravinder said the state Housing Committee must not only issue offer letters stating the price of the units offered, but must also ensure the purchasers get the houses at that price.

He said the state Housing Department was fully aware of the issue and had been telling complainants that it was out of their jurisdiction, that it was a matter between the purchasers and the developers.

"This is not so. It is very much a matter for the state Housing Department to take up with the developers and ensure that they sell at the price stated in the offer letter.

"Not doing that is making a mockery of the low-cost or affordable housing schemes and failing the lower income groups by leaving them at the mercy of developers," he added, noting that such a practice resulted in some having to wait for years but could not buy any house.

Ravinder also proposed to state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to set up a Whatsapp complaints channel for arm-twisted purchasers to lodge complaints directly to him.

The New Straits Times has reached out to Sundarajoo for comments and are waiting for his response on the matter.

IS THIS ANOTHER NATO (No Action, Talk Only)

Penang to introduce new category of affordable housing prices at RM100,000 [NSTTV]

By Audrey Dermawan - September 19, 2023 @ 12:43pm

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is planning to introduce a new category of affordable housing for households earning a combined income of RM5,000.

The house, priced at RM100,000 each, is meant for young graduates who have just started working.

State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the proposal would be brought to the state executive council and state planning committee (SPC) for approval.

"We expect to obtain the necessary approvals by November before introducing it to the target group.

New measures to transform public housing

"We see a need to introduce this new category of affordable housing as there is none now for households earning a combined income of RM5,000. What we have is for households earning a combined income of RM3,000 and RM8,000.

"So, we need to address this gap to ensure our people are able to buy houses according to their income," he said today.

Sundarajoo said the new category of affordable housing would have a 750sq ft built-up.

Penang State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo (left) speaks to reporters during a press conference at Bilik Mutiara, 52nd floor, Komtar. - NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

Meanwhile, Sundarajoo said the state government and federal government, under the unity government umbrella, had worked together to develop a new housing scheme for young newlyweds and singles through the implementation of the Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Kota Giam in Jelutong here.

He said a total of 500 units would be built for the two target groups.

"We are providing the encumbrance-free land while the project will be undertaken by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

"We are looking at building 250 units of studio units for singles with a 500sq ft built-up and 250 units of three-bedroom units for young newlyweds with a 700sq ft built-up.

"This project will cost RM100 million, approved under the Sentuhan Kasih Kementerian Pembangunan Kerajaan Tempatan programme. A total of RM200 million was approved," he added.

Sundarajoo also said that the Housing Outcome Performance Committee (Hope) which met on Sept 14, had approved a total of 915 names as qualified buyers.

It involved 404 units of houses priced at RM42,000, 81 units of houses priced at RM72,500 and 430 units of houses priced at RM150,000 from 27 housing schemes.

As of the end of last month, there are a total of 43,260 applicants for affordable housing units in the state's database, dating from as far back as the 1990s.

However, from Sept 1 until Dec 31, last year, the Penang Housing Board launched a campaign to encourage applicants to update their information through the housing information system to enable offers to be made.

Of the total, only 7,686 applicants have done so as of the end of last month.

"We hope the others will do so to ensure their status as an active applicant.

"This is because we have offered houses to many people in the past but they rejected our offers.

Since 2008 until now, a total of 67,000 houses have been offered to eligible applicants.

The new category of affordable housing would have a 750sq ft built-up. - NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

Monday, 19 June 2023

The unreliable, unhelpful DAP assemblyman starts talking big again for Penang elections

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!

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 :