By Clara Chooi | August 01, 2011
The Malaysian Insider
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 1 — Lim Guan Eng today denied accusations that the Penang Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government has never launched affordable housing projects for the poor, revealing that a total of 11,596 medium- and low-cost units have been approved since 2008.
“Since taking over the administration in 2008, the state government has approved the construction of 11,596 medium- and low-cost homes, and this immediately refutes the statement that the state has never built affordable housing for the people,” he said in a statement.
The Penang chief minister said the initiatives were a mix of state government and private-funded housing projects involving housing units worth an estimated RM42,000 (low cost) each or RM72,500 (medium cost).
Of the 11,596 units, he said, 8,175 (2,612 low-cost and 5,563 medium-cost) units were built by private developers while the government and its agencies constructed 3,421 (1,194 low-cost and 2,227 medium-cost) units.
“The state government also plans to re-develop several other housing projects which involve about 992 low-cost homes and 192 medium-cost homes,” Lim said.
Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) working committee deputy chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman recently accused the PR state government of failing to launch any housing schemes for the lower- and middle-income groups since it assumed control in 2008.
The Umno state chief, who has been one of Lim’s fiercest critics since the latter was appointed chief minister, had also claimed that the state government has been “discriminating” against federal government-linked companies that apply for approvals to launch low-cost housing schemes.
In an immediate response to Zainal, Lim denied discriminating against federal agencies, saying approvals would not be a problem if they complied with regulations.
#1 by sheriff singh on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 4:12 pm
Only 11,596? I thought it should have been much, much more.
‘Approved’ does not mean already constructed and people moved in. The houses might not have been built. Where are they? Can have a site visit?
#2 by dagen on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 4:24 pm
The great difference between umno and dap is umno goes for show and bang. Umno would immediately announce to the world the fact another one unit of low-cost house has been approved and in that same announcement, declare the effort to be a fantastic success and a gift to all poor people in malaysia. It does not matter at all if 10yrs later that one approved unit is still undergoing construction.
Sheriff has a good point. Provide an account to the people on the progress of those approved units and the expected completion date(s).
#3 by hallo on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 4:27 pm
Low cost housing can be low quality environment to raise children and families
The low cost housing amount not affordable to build good environment to residents, it is too low for a budget
The government should work on low interest loan and extented loan over 2 generation for loan payment afford medium-cost housing rather to produce more low quality environment with low cost housing for residents to raise families and children
#4 by yhsiew on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 4:49 pm
Penangites should be thankful to have Guan Eng as Chief Minister, who always has them at heart.
#5 by monsterball on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 5:19 pm
Now that’s low cost houses prices Lim Guan Eng is talking.
Najib’s low cost houses starts from RM250K per unit….all published in papers.
Najib is so out of contact with the real Malaysia.
He has always been a pampered child….yet Mahathir chose him to be PM…hoping to have a faithful puppet……where he can rule from behind.
Since Marina Mahathir supported BERSIH 2…that old man is totally quiet.
#6 by monsterball on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 5:25 pm
I repeat….
Lim Guan Eng is talking about RM42K to RM72.5K per house and have approved and built 11596 units in Penang.
Najib’s low cost project starts from RM250K per unit.
Presuming the paper printed wrongly…and should be RM25K per unit…it’s all talk…bullshit…blowing hot air….to win votes.
#7 by k1980 on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 6:32 pm
//Only 11,596? I thought it should have been much, much more.//
Sheriff Singh, most people (except you) know how expensive land costs in Penang Island. Landed property there starts from half a million ringgit, and those are in the outskirts. Surely you don’t except the developer to make a loss of RM475,000 and sell a house to you for RM25,000?
#8 by tak tahan on Monday, 1 August 2011 - 10:31 pm
There are opportunists hoping when canland declared bankcruptcy then quickly grab the lelong sales lor.
#9 by waterfrontcoolie on Tuesday, 2 August 2011 - 3:05 pm
Well, Penang should start more reclamations to build medium cost houses for the bottom half of the population. Based on the limited land availability, it is still more affordable than many schemes bulit in other States where land is articially rocketed, just like the land at PKFZ. If contractors are gievn a fair chance, I believe more reasonable houses can be bulit nation wide! do bear in mind the pure capitalistic approach by the West had failed and will fail again if their style is not changed!