The Penang State Government is stepping up efforts to combat the misuse of affordable housing, following a high-level enforcement and legal committee meeting chaired by thePenang housing and environment state exco Dato Seri Sundarajoo on May 5. The meeting, held at Bilik Nilam in KOMTAR, marked the first session of the Enforcement and Legal Action Committee under the Penang State Housing Board (LPNPP) for the year.

Described as a crucial platform, the session focused on strengthening enforcement against the growing abuse of affordable housing units, particularly under the Rumah MutiaraKu scheme and the People’s Housing Project (PPR). Also present were Youth, Sports and Health Exco YB Gooi Zi Sen, as well as several state assemblymen including YB Wong Yuee Harng of Pengkalan Kota, YB Chee Yeeh Keen of Bagan Jermal, and YB Phee Syn Tze of Sungai Puyu, alongside senior officials from LPNPP.

During the meeting, Sundarajoo reaffirmed the state’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in the allocation and management of affordable housing. He stressed that any violation of tenancy terms would be met with firm action from the state. A key concern raised was the issue of tenants who fail to pay their monthly rent, which directly affects the financial resources available for maintaining the buildings and their surroundings. Another major concern involved the illegal subletting of housing units to foreign nationals or third parties who are not eligible for such housing. These practices, he said, not only breach tenancy agreements but also deny deserving Penangites access to affordable homes.

Sundarajoo underscored that the state government will not compromise when it comes to such misconduct. He called for a strengthening of existing legislation to ensure enforcement actions can be carried out more effectively. This includes improving monitoring systems, expediting legal processes, and introducing new clauses in tenancy agreements to prevent further abuse.

He concluded by affirming the state’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every affordable housing unit benefits the rightful recipients—particularly low- and middle-income residents of Penang. This, he said, aligns with the government’s broader goal of building a more inclusive and prosperous community.