The affordable housing projects, Mutiara Ria and Mutiara Rini, which were under construction but later demolished due to non-compliant building materials, are now set to be reconstructed with a new plan in place. JKP Jelutong Development Sdn. Bhd., a joint venture between JKP Sdn. Bhd. and GSD Land Sdn. Bhd., will undertake the construction of the new affordable homes. The project is scheduled to commence early next year at the original site located adjacent to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.

During a press conference held yesterday, Jagdeep Singh Deo, the chairman of the Penang State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee, announced the plan to construct two skyscrapers of 38 and 54-storeys. These buildings will house a total of 1,245 affordable housing units, each boasting a built-up size of 950 sq.ft. The units will be priced at RM300,000 and are expected to be completed within a timeframe of 5 years. He added that an additional 192 units of low-cost and low-medium-cost housing will be constructed in Balik Pulau.

The facilities of the new affordable housing plan will include multi-storey car parks, swimming pools, children’s wading pools and playgrounds, saunas, fitness rooms, community halls, prayer rooms and leisure areas, etc.

The previous buyers have either received compensation or been offered reallocation to units in alternative affordable housing projects. Additionally, some of the buyers will be granted priority to purchase the newly constructed units.

Jagdeep emphasized that the Penang state government will intensify its supervision to ensure the structural safety of the high-rise buildings included in the plan.

The initial development plans for Mutiara Ria and Mutiara Rini, located next to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, were initiated in December 2015. The original design comprised a 17-storey low-cost and medium-cost apartment with 384 units for Mutiara Ria, and a 24-storey affordable housing scheme consisting of 382 units for Mutiara Rini.

However, once the construction of the two high-rise buildings commenced, reaching the 2nd and 15th floors respectively, they were deemed dangerous structures in 2017. As a result, the demolition process began in 2020.