It is utterly regrettable that the mainstream news media, like the Star, which calls itself the ‘People’s Paper’, and all other media can continue to print news that is unverified and without consultation with all relevant parties.
I say this because I firmly believe in the relevancy of this publication, just as my late father Karpal Singh did. But, if there was anything that he thought me, it was, get your facts right! So, I say to you, like all the ordinary persons reading your publication, get your facts right!
In this regard, I refer to the news report in the Star today (22.7.2015), with the title ‘Look, how the units have shrunk!’.
This article refers to a project at Sungai Ara developed by Asia Green known as ‘The Clovers”.
What is alleged is that the developer failed to abide by the state governments affordable housing policy on price and size, namely that so called affordable housing units priced at RM200,000.00 are only 699 to 728 square feet, as opposed to the size requirement of a minimum of 750 square feet.
It was further alleged by the Star publication that they had not met the requirement of affordable units under their development project, by saying that ‘since the project has 892 residential units, there should be 224 affordable units’.
It is rather extremely unfortunate that ‘The Star’, proves to show a pattern of not verifying its facts on this particular issue, as with others, as I had clarified matters with them on their baseless article, as recently as on the 12th of July, stating ‘Cheaper homes out of reach’, to which they had no choice, but yet commendably responded by stating the facts. In fact, for the record, several of its reporters had called me and tried to miserably apologize (explain and apologise) what they had done.
From the outset, it ought to be noted that the Penang state government’s current policy on affordable housing as promulgated in August, 2014 is clear, namely, that there is size control and price control.
In this regard, the size of such affordable housing units has been fixed namely, at 750, 850 and 900 square feet for units priced at RM200,000.00, RM300,00.00 and RM400,000.00 square feet on the island and RM150,000.00, RM200,000.00 and RM250,000.00 on the mainland.
Where this case is concerned, it should be noted that the approval given by the MPPP (then) on their then current guidelines, was based on the original affordable housing component in any normal development, namely, 5%, 10% and 5% of RM200,000.00, RM300,000.00 and RM 500,000.00 units.
For this project, the total development component was 892 units, which made their requirement of affordable housing units 178.4 units. However, it should be noted that they built 180 actual physical units of such affordable housing.
Where size is concerned, under the earlier guidelines, it was not stipulated, hence the Penang state government made it mandatory that any such units cannot be less than a low medium cost unit namely 650 square feet. It should be noted that the units in this project is 699 to 727 square feet.
It is extremely unfortunate that certain media choose not to be responsible before reporting, by verifying their facts with al relevant parties. As a former practitioner of law, I would like to remind all press to execute responsible journalism, lest you might get entangled with the law.
In fact, with the case at hand, I wish to state that certain press that were originally without doubt not going to verify it’s facts, actually contacted me to verify their facts.
In any event, I would like to educate such ignorant media of the fact that under the earlier affordable housing guidelines, developers were still required to build low-cost housing (which, I repeat ought to be rebranded for the sake of the dignity and pride of those really needing a roof over their heads), namely 30% of their development component.
In this particular case, it should be noted that their 30% requirement was 268 units, however they have built more than that, namely 349 units.
SHAME on those press that did not verify their facts, including unfortunately ‘The Star’, and all other media chose not to verify their facts with the relevant parties.
What needs to be addressed where Penangites are concerned is the real issue of the failure by the Federal government to deliver affordable housing to Penang. Despite all the announcements that PR1MA will arrive on the shores of Penang, since its promulgation, we are still thirsting for it!!
I reiterate my challenge to BN/UMNO, to answer Penangites call for such affordable housing to be delivered to Penang.