Penang state government will be putting a stop to low-cost and low-medium-cost housing owners from renting out their units.

State housing exco Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said these affordable housing units are heavily subsidised and are only meant for those who can’t afford expensive homes.

“Someone has to put their feet down to enforce this and stop people from renting out low-cost housing to others,” he told reporters after launching a housing symposium at Mercure Hotel in Tanjung Bungah here.

He said these low-cost housing are meant for the poor to live in and not for others to enjoy.

“I understand that when they rent it out to some factories, they can get rental of RM1,000 or more and use it to rent other places outside for half the price and keep the balance as extra income,” he said.

He said this is not the purpose of low-cost housing being approved for those who can’t afford homes.

“I stress that these heavily subsidised housing are for them and their family to use, they cannot rent it out, whether to locals or foreigners,” he said.

He said he will discuss with the local government development ministry to amend the sales and purchase agreement (SPA) to resolve this issue.

“At the state level, we will come up with our own enforcement action, we will be presenting papers to the state exco in the next few weeks,” he said.

He said there are already social problems arising from many of these units being rented out to foreign workers.

Meanwhile, Sundarajoo said there are factories that have rented up whole blocks of vacant low-cost and low-medium housing units to be converted into foreign workers’ quarters.

“In South Seberang Perai, there are low-cost housing units in remote areas and most of these are vacant, so factories have rented up blocks of these projects,” he said.

He said he is working with the local government state exco Jason Hn’g to convert blocks of vacant low-cost and low medium-cost units into hostels for foreign workers.

“It will be a very practical, clean and healthy solution to housing the foreign workers,” he said.

He said suitable projects for such schemes include those in remote areas that are vacant and some that currently have more than 70 per cent of units occupied by foreign workers

“We target blocks like this to be converted for workers and let factories rent the whole block,” he said.

He said this can be done in an orderly and controlled manner

He said there are low-cost projects that were built in remote areas due to low land costs and this resulted in low sales of these units.

In the long term, Sundarajoo said they are studying ways for centralised workers’ quarters to be built within the factory’s premises.

“We are looking at allocating a corner in industrial parks for this purpose,” he said.

Source: MalayMail.com

The much-awaited Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah is expected to begin its operation on Oct 15.

Previously, the original Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah food court was ravaged by a fire in November 2020.

Subsequently, the Penang government announced plans for a new food court on the same site with an estimated cost of RM3.5 million.

The brand new Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah food court boosts an attractive design, multi-functional facilities and is disabled-friendly.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who is also the Tanjong Bunga assemblyman, said the new food court already received a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) in September this year.

“The tenants there are currently in the process of applying for utilities (water and electricity) for their shops.

“They now just waiting for the installation of water and electricity, which is expected to be carried out this week,” he told Buletin Mutiara when contacted today.

Meanwhile, one of the locals, Lim Pei Jun, 29, said she welcomed the news as she was one of the regular patrons previously.

“When it was still open, I used to enjoy ice kacang and other food like chicken rice there. It was very good back then.

“I hope when the food court reopens, the old tenant will be back so that I can still savour the same flavours once again.

“Thank you to the state government as well for constructing this improved food court compared to the old one,” she said.

As for another local, Alex Tan, 33, he cannot wait for the new food court to reopen.

“I hope the prices will be very affordable just like the old times so that many people will come to enjoy the variety of food.

“At the same time, I hope there will be some additional parking lots as the current parking area is limited.

“After all, more parking lots will prevent illegal parking in nearby residential areas,” he said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

In George Town, a new ray of hope has emerged for the homeless community in the form of a transit centre that provides warm meals and temporary shelter. The centre, located in Jalan CY Choy, has quickly become a lifeline for individuals like Khairul Taib and Lee Chong Kim, who have fallen on hard times due to various circumstances.

Khairul Taib, a 39-year-old former security guard, found himself without a job in April of this year. His search for employment proved challenging, primarily because of the high rental costs in the city. Fortunately, the transit centre stepped in to provide him with a temporary place to stay, allowing him to focus on finding work and getting back on his feet. Khairul’s story is not unique, as many in the homeless community share similar struggles.

Lee Chong Kim, a 70-year-old resident of Queen Street, faces his own set of challenges. Living on welfare assistance, Lee struggles to make ends meet, particularly because of the high rent he must pay. His regular visits to the transit centre for meals ensure that he receives proper nutrition, which is essential for his well-being. The centre has become a place for Lee to connect with others in similar circumstances, alleviating the loneliness that can often accompany homelessness.

The newly established RM4.4 million homeless transit centre, fully funded by the state government and built by the Penang Island City Council, opened its doors on September 1st. Located near the iconic Komtar building along Magazine Road, this centre serves as both a shelter and a hub for training and intervention. Its primary goal is to empower homeless individuals with skills and resources that will enable them to secure employment and eventually find permanent housing through government public housing projects.

The centre features 88 beds, divided into separate male and female dorms, each equipped with private lockers and cubicle bathrooms. Accessibility is a priority, with dorms for the disabled available on the ground floor. Currently, the centre serves 47 registered individuals for daily meals, including those living nearby and the homeless.

Lim Siew Khim, the committee chairman for social development, welfare, and non-Islamic religious affairs, emphasized that the mission extends beyond aiding those currently living on the streets. Preventative measures are essential, and the provision of free meals helps at-risk individuals maintain their health and energy levels, reducing the likelihood of them becoming homeless in the first place. The centre collaborates with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporate sponsors to provide meals, ensuring that there is a backup plan for days when sponsorship is unavailable.

Furthermore, the centre is actively working on partnerships with the state Health Department and additional NGOs to offer regular health screenings for the homeless. Lim Siew Khim called on the private sector and NGOs to contribute to the cause, emphasizing that collective efforts can lead to significant change. She also highlighted that donating directly to homeless individuals on the street can sometimes exacerbate the issue and lead to food waste, making the transit centre a more efficient and sustainable choice for those who want to help.

(Image source: TheStar.com.my)

In a remarkable stride towards sustainable urban living, EcoWorld proudly unveils its latest gem in the bustling Eco Horizon Township – Ceria D’ Eco Horizon. This high-rise residential marvel, part of the duduk Series, is not only a testament to EcoWorld’s commitment to innovation but also an embodiment of eco-conscious lifestyle it aims to provide.

The First duduk Series in Penang

Ceria D’ Eco Horizon stands as the pioneer duduk project in Penang , symbolising a new era of modern living in this vibrant state. The development comprises two towering blocks, Block A and Block B, boasting a total of 1,302 serviced apartment units, with 651 units in each block. This launch marks a significant milestone for EcoWorld, reaffirming its position as a leader in eco-conscious urban development.

Versatile Living Spaces

Ceria D’ Eco Horizon’s units are designed to cater to every individual’s unique preference. Offering four distinct orientations – North, South, East, and West – residents can choose their ideal orientation, ensuring ample natural light and breathtaking views. Each unit spans an expansive 1,000 square feet and comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two designated parking spaces. With a targeted completion date in 2027, this project promises to deliver a luxurious and comfortable living experience.

First Home Buyer Paradise

Ceria D’ Eco Horizon has struck a chord with first-time homebuyers, primarily those employed at the nearby Batu Kawan Industrial Park. Its strategic location within the heart of Eco Horizon Township, nestled between Eco Horizon City’s Borealis and the township’s first landed collection ofAshton, makes it an ideal choice for young professionals and families seeking both convenience and sustainability.

Retail and Dining Convenience at Your Doorstep

Adding to the allure of Ceria D’ Eco Horizon is its proximity to the soon-to-be-opened Australis commercial shop lots, by EcoWorld. This commercial hub comprises 10 double-storey shop lots, featuring the highly anticipated Jaya Grocer among other retail spaces. Scheduled for completion in 2024, these commercial units will be available for lease, offering residents an array of shopping and dining options just a short stroll from their doorstep.

A Slice of Commercial Opportunity

Ceria D’ Eco Horizon also includes 26 double-storey strata shop lots known as Ceria Square. These coveted commercial spaces are selling with prices starting at RM 2.5 million , and all units are fully reserved. Entrepreneurs and investors are capitalising on the potential of this thriving eco-community, ensuring a vibrant commercial scene within the township.

Your Chance to Be Part of Ceria D’ Eco Horizon

As the buzz around Ceria D’ Eco Horizon Block B grows, it’s essential not to miss out on the opportunity to secure your unit for under RM 500,000 in Batu Kawan. Contact us today to embark on your journey towards eco-conscious, convenient living in the heart of Penang.
Ceria D’ Eco Horizon – Where sustainability meets sophistication, and dreams find a home.

For more information and inquiries, please visit https://www.duduk.my/ceria/
or call 04-227 2255.

The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) hopes that the government will address the affordability, or rather the unaffordability of houses in the nation, as well as introduce measures to alleviate challenges developers continue to face in the upcoming Budget 2024.

In its budget wishlist, the association’s president Datuk NK Tong said that as housing affordability remain a major issue for the people and industry alike, it hopes for the reintroduction or introduction of incentives that would allow more Malaysians to buy a house to call their own.

“These include incentives in the form of tax deductions, grants, as well as lower interest rates that will surely lessen the burden of future homeowners, particularly first-time buyers.

“We also request for the Home Ownership Campaign to be continued, as its two iterations in 2019 and 2020-2021 have not only helped thousands of Malaysians own their dream home but also contributed significantly to the country’s gross domestic product,” he said in a statement.

Other than the cross-subsidy method developers have to undertake to build affordable housing, another major factor contributing to the issue is the rising input cost for building materials, which correlates directly with rising house prices, Rehda said in the statement.

It said the government’s intervention, such as temporary reduction or removal of import levy, would go a long way in mitigating the problem.

“Similarly, the rising land cost is adversely impacting house prices,” it said.

Rehda pointed to a recent interview in which the Employees Provident Fund’s chief strategy officer Nurhisham Hussein had said that for housing to be truly affordable, state finances should be overhauled.

Nurhisham has said that 95% of state income was derived from some form of property tax, such as land conversion premiums, and therefore, reforming state finance is essential when discussing affordable housing.

“As developers, we concur that should charges imposed by state governments and local authorities be reduced, house prices will most likely be reduced to levels that make homeownership attainable for more people,” said Tong.

Aside from that, Rehda is also encouraged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s numerous calls for a fair and transparent government at all levels, including state and among privatised utility companies.

Meanwhile, PropertyGuru Malaysia country manager Sheldon Fernandez hopes that Budget 2024 will not only look at ways to increase income and wages but also at how it could effectively manage and execute initiatives around affordable housing.

He said this was due to income disparity, and that median income needs to catch up with property prices, as it only grew 2.5% last year, instead of over 3% during pre-pandemic times.

“We are seeing targeted approaches by the government towards affordable housing, subsidies and addressing the rising cost of living.

“But more importantly, we want to see more effective planning and implementation. We want to see that it is done well, so that the income gap could be closer,” Sheldon told Bernama.

Source: TheEdgeMalaysia.com