Remind Chua Soi Lek not to repeat lies on the housing issue in Penang

I will like to remind Chua Soi Lek not to repeat lies on the housing issue in Penang.

I will like to voiced my disappointment that though Barisan Nasional Federal Government had announced that 20,454 unit of affordable homes will be built for the whole of Malaysia under Budget 2013, Penang got only 70 unit which is 0.35%. It shows how little the commitment of Barisan Nasional and it is a clear proof that Chua Soi Lek is having empty talk all this while and he did not used his position and authority as President of MCA to direct his colleague in charge of Housing Ministry to channel the necessary support for housing in Penang.

This is in contrast with the Penang Pakatan Rakyat State Government which has allocated RM500 million to realise the Affordable Housing Scheme. We have great plans to develop 18,000 unit of affordable housing in both the island and mainland namely Jalan SP Chelliah (George Town), Teluk Kumbar (Daerah Barat Daya), Ampang Jajar (Seberang Perai Utara), Bukit Mertajam (Seberang Perai Tengah) and Batu Kawan (Seberang Perai Selatan).

The Penang State Government places great attention to the housing needs of its people especially in the low cost and affordable housing categories.

Since 8-3-2008 until 31-7-2012, there are 14702 unit of low cost and low medium cost unit which has obtained certificate of occupancy (OC) issued by MPPP and MPSP. There are 47 projects in both Island and Seberang Perai among others: Halaman Kenanga (Daerah Timur Laut), Halaman Serojo (Seberang Perai Selatan), Taman Ampang Jajar (Seberang Perai Utara) and Sri Saujana (Daerah Timur Laut). The State Government has played its part in facilitating the building of such affordable houses and project like Desa Nipah (Balik Pulau) which is a 5-storey apartment with the selling price of RM35,000 per unit and it is indeed very affordable to the rakyat. At Seberang Perai, Taman Sungai Duri Permai which is a landed town house scheme with the selling price of RM38,000 per unit. These are among others the long list of affordable housing for the rakyat.

For the future supply, there are 15,246 unit of low cost and low medium cost unit which have obtained planning permission since 8-3-2008 until 31-7-2012. There are altogether 62 projects in various stages of approval and construction process.

For the rental unit category, we have made good the unit neglected by the Barisan Nasional. For Rifle Range flats, there are 170 unit of flat which are left unoccupied for more than 10 years. The army used to stay in Block E and Block J of Rifle Range Flats and they have moved out in the late 90s. The Barisan Nasional Government did not take any action for the past 10 years and left the unit unoccupied and it became dilapidated.

It is the Pakatan Rakyat State Government who repaired the unit and rent it out to 170 needy families with the low monthly rental of RM90. We also converted 40 unit of unoccupied government quarters at Taman Pelangi, George Town to rent it to the underprivileged group. In Seberang Perai Tengah, we have put it the budget to repair 120 unit of unoccupied unit of Desa Wawasan for the needy families.

Penang State Government also place great attention on the revival of abandoned housing projects. Penang State Government has worked with the white knights to revive such projects which have been abandoned for more than 10 years under the Barisan Nasional administration. We have revived projects namely Taman Cemerlang (Bandar Baru Air Itam), Desa Aman (Relau), Fettes Villa (Mount Erskine), Taman Teluk Air Tawar (Seberang Perai Utara) and Taman Pekatra (Seberang Perai Selantan). Last week, I have made a site inspection to Desa Aman which is near completion and the purchasers can look forward to have their dream homes after a long wait of 12 years. The revival of these abandoned projects also add up to the pools of affordable housing.

Penang State Government has fulfilled its promise on affordable housing agenda and will continue to working on providing more affordable homes for the people.