The Penang state government has expanded its 5% housing discount initiative to all buyers of unsold completed properties, commonly known as overhang units. Previously limited to selected groups, the discount is now available to all purchasers, not just first-time homeowners.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision was unanimously approved during the state executive council (MMK) meeting on June 18. The initiative remains under the existing MADANI Ownership Campaign (MOC) and will be in effect for one year.

“This reflects our commitment to reducing the number of unsold completed housing units in Penang,” Chow said at a press conference in Komtar. He noted that all previously announced conditions still apply, including that only developers registered with the Penang State Housing Board (LPNPP) are eligible to offer the discount.

Eligible properties must be confirmed as overhang units, with verification by the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC). Currently, there are 2,796 such units across various housing categories in the state.

Chow expressed hope that the broader discount will encourage homeownership, help clear the property overhang, and support participating developers.

Also present at the event were Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, chairman of the Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee, and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.

Juru Village in the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) district has been awarded third place in the 2024 National New Village Competition, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT). The recognition came with a federal grant worth RM500,000, presented to the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) led by chairman Cheh Kim Weng, 61.

Bukit Tengah State Assemblyman, Gooi Hsiao-Leung, highlighted that this is not the village’s first recognition, as Juru has previously received several awards at the local, state, and national levels. These include third place in the 2021 Seberang Perai City Council’s Clean Village Competition and runner-up in the 2024 National Landscape Award in conjunction with Malaysia Landscape Day.

Gooi described the achievement as significant, noting that the competition involved over 600 new villages across Malaysia. He expressed pride in Juru’s continued recognition, saying it reflects the strong community spirit and leadership within the village.

Juru Village was officially established in 1952, during the Malayan Emergency period, as part of the British colonial government’s resettlement strategy to combat communist insurgency. The village has since evolved into a well-established community, now home to over 300 landed residential units and approximately 2,000 residents.

The first village development and security committee (JKKK) chairman was Chow Hoe (1952–1969), followed by a series of successors leading up to the current chairman, Cheh Kim Weng, who has played a central role in the village’s ongoing development through the MPKK.

KPKT’s Village Development Officer for SPT, K.C. Ng, explained that the competition was reintroduced to appreciate the contributions of communities living in Malaysia’s 613 new villages. The aim, he said, is to encourage socio-economic development and inspire younger generations to remain connected to these historical communities.

He added that KPKT has allocated RM1.9 million this year for nine infrastructure projects across seven new villages in Seberang Perai, including Juru and Kampung Selamat in the north. These projects focus on improving roads, drainage, pedestrian walkways, and landscape elements. Additionally, housing repair initiatives are ongoing in areas such as Machang Bubuk and Juru.

Gooi emphasized the importance of preserving the cultural and historical value of new villages, referring to them as “living heritage.” He also expressed support for MPKK Juru’s intention to use part of the federal grant to construct a new entrance archway as a symbolic gateway and landmark for the village.

Both federal and state governments have shown ongoing support for new village development, with the federal government allocating RM84 million for new villages nationwide in 2024.

(Images source: Buletin Mutiara)

A proposed strata mixed development comprising commercial, residential, and hospitality components located in Jelutong, along Perak Road, adjacent to Skyview Residence. The site is within close proximity to major transport links, including the Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway, and is approximately a 10-minute drive from both Karpal Singh Drive and the Penang Bridge.

The development is planned in two phases. Phase 1 will consist of two 43-storey towers set above a 12-level car park podium. Tower 1 will contain 829 office suites and a 160-room hotel. Tower 2 will offer 634 affordable housing units, with designated recreational and facility spaces on Levels 12, 42, 43, and the rooftop.

Phase 2 will include a 30-storey residential block comprising 104 compensation housing units and 116 affordable housing units. This phase will also feature two levels of recreational facilities, a 4-storey car park with a semi-basement level, a 2-storey replacement temple, and a 4-storey commercial shop unit with individual title.

The project is still in its planning stage and more details will be available upon official launch.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Full list of affordable housing in Penang
• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Jelutong
Property Type : Mixed development
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 750 (affordable), 829 (office suite)
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

Residential properties sold under the Housing Development Act (HDA) will be exempted from the update Sales and Services Tax (SST), following concerns from the construction industry over rising costs.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the exemption applies to all residential buildings, including serviced apartments built on commercial land, provided they are intended for residential use and fall under the HDA.

He said this following discussions with Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan after industry players raised concerns about the impact of cascading taxes under the revised SST framework.

Nga said the issue will be addressed through business-to-business (B2B) exemptions, ensuring that the service tax is only applied at a single stage.

The Finance Ministry clarified that basic construction materials such as cement, sand and aggregates will continue to be taxed at 0 per cent. Of the 400 tariff codes covering building materials, only eight will see an increase, affecting items such as laminated glass, netting and vats.

“This will affect only two per cent of the total building material tariff codes,” he said.

Nga added that contractors may also separate material costs from service charges, allowing the service tax to apply solely to construction services.

He noted that the government remains committed to balancing fiscal reforms with housing affordability.

“KPKT will continue engaging with the Finance Ministry and stakeholders to ensure fair implementation of tax policies and protect the interests of homebuyers,” he added.

Source: Bernama

About The Meg @ Andaman

The first project in Andaman Island, the highly-anticipated prime reclaimed island of Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2A by E&O. Features two blocks of 27 and 34-storey serviced apartments with an estimated GDV of RM690 million. It comprises 1,020 residential units with innovative layouts designed to suit young executives and new families.

*Photo taken in May 2025

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