A proposed new law on tenancy of rented houses, which is to deal with racism in the housing market, has drawn two opposing views on when it should be taken to Parliament.

A representative of house buyers, Chang Kim Loong, says the government should focus on the economy instead as the law will not be able to reduce racial discrimination in the housing market.

However, James Raj, who is with a parliamentary group for sustainable development, says the law should be tabled in Parliament at its next meeting in July.

Chang, who is secretary-general of the National House Buyers Association, said the Residential Tenancy Act was unnecessary at this time. He disagreed with the stated objective of dealing with racial discrimination as stated by a minister two years ago.

“The focus should be on reviving the economy. Perhaps the proposed RTA should be revisited in five years’ time,” he said.

“Unfortunately, racism and racist practices are prevalent not only in the tenancy market but in other areas of life and society. Look around and you will arrive at your own conclusion.

“If I am to let out my property for rent, I don’t care about your skin colour. If you can pay, I will let it to you. Let’s say a Chinese person comes to me and offers RM2,000 in rent but the next person, who is Malay, offers me RM2,300. Obviously, I will accept the higher rent.”

Chang said that rather than using the new law to combat racism, it might be better to educate landlords and tenants on their shared roles and responsibilities.

He said the problem may lie in the perception that people of certain ethnic groups make for less palatable tenants, which might have been perpetuated by a lack of understanding or education of different cultures.

Penalties for racist landlords

Raj, who is an officer of the all-party parliamentary group on sustainable development, urged the government to table the Act at the next Dewan Rakyat meeting in July.

He said the Act could deal with the problem of racism if the law contained enforcement provisions, such as penalties on landlords who practise racial preferences in their advertisements.

He said prospective Indian tenants were placed at a disadvantage by such advertisements.

“The landlords should not mention the race at all when they want to rent out their property. We are talking about fostering inclusivity in Malaysia, a safe, equitable and affordable environment,” he said.

The proposed RTA has been the subject of a month-long consultation session organised by the housing ministry in February.

Its minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican was reported as saying recently that the ministry is seeking more feedback before the proposed law is tabled.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday.com

In line with the commitment to build an ESG- (environment, social and governance) compliant Penang South Islands’ (PSI), the project’s site offices will strive to use renewable resources to meet their operational needs.

SRS Consortium deputy project director Azmi Mohamad said the Marine Operation Control Centre (MOCC) in Batu Maung was only the first PSI project office to be fitted with solar panels, and more would follow.

MOCC will monitor vessel movements around the PSI site during reclamation.

“As the project progresses, we also plan to use solar power at Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan (PPSN) Permatang Damar Laut, and the future project office in Batu Maung, where management and administrative staff will be based.

“This is in line with our commitment to building a low-carbon development and support efforts to become more climate resilient. We must walk the talk, even in our non-construction activities,” he said in a statement released by Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC).

SRS Consortium and PIC were earlier reported to be entering a joint venture to reclaim Island A, one of the three islands under the PSI project.

PSI is being master planned according to recommendations of the Green Plan and Low Carbon Cities Framework that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The MOCC’s solar panels, which were installed on April 15, just a week before Earth Day on April 22, will generate 11.83 kWp (kilowatts peak) to power the centre’s operations.

Azmi said based on an estimated power demand of 10kW for 12 hours per day, the solar panels would help the MOCC reduce 12 tonnes or 40% carbon emissions a year, in line with the National Physical Planning Council’s recommendation to build a low carbon development to address climate change.

“The materials that make up this solar power system can last up to 30 years. We believe that investing in solar power is worth the time and effort.

“Most importantly, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas or carbon emission from energy that comes from burning fossil fuels in the long run,” Azmi said.

According to the PIC statement, the project is also looking at introducing solar-powered streetlights for the MOCC in the future. For now, the PPSN offices in Permatang Damar Laut, Sungai Batu and Gertak Sanggul are already using them.

Apart from using solar power, the MOCC and PPSN Permatang Damar Laut are also using rainwater harvesting systems to collect water for cleaning and landscaping.

In the future, both initiatives will be adopted at other project premises, alongside eco-friendly energy-saving lighting, air conditioning (inverter) and ventilation systems; and water-saving faucets and flush system.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

About Mezzo @ The Light City

The first residential project at The Light City – a large-scale 32.76 acre integrated mixed-use waterfront development by  IJM Perennial Development in Gelugor, Penang. Strategically located next to The Light Collection, just a mere minutes drive from Penang Bridge and George Town.

It comprises two 34-storey residential towers, featuring 456 seaview condominium units with various built-up sizes.

(Photos taken on Mar 2022)

Find out more about Mezzo @ The Light City

The construction of the largest banquet hall in Seberang Perai or known as Butterworth Arena is expected to be completed in September this year!

Located in Ampang Jajar, Butterworth Arena is a five-star banquet hall! It is an initiative of the Penang state government through the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) with a total cost of RM59 million.

When completed, Butterworth Arena will be equipped with various types of facilities and amenities such as three ballrooms that can accommodate a total of 360 tables, a stage and four function rooms, two separate kitchens, 600 parking spaces, 400 parking lots for motorcycles and more.

The banquet hall will also play an important role in stimulating the economy and tourism activities in Seberang Perai and the surrounding areas through the organization of various programs such as conferences, exhibitions, wedding receptions and more.

Bayu Residence, a freehold strata residential development by Freehold Profile Sdn. Bhd. in the heart of Butterworth. Strategically located along Jalan Ong Yi How, right opposite SMK Bagan Jaya. It is just a mere minute drive to Mak Mandin Industrial Estate, surrounded by an abundance of essential amenities including banks, popular eateries, hypermarket, hospital, schools and more.

This development comprises 18 units of 3-storey townhouses and a 12-storey condominium with 3-level car park podiums. The condominium will offer 113 residential units with built-up size ranging from 1,618sq.ft. up to 1,825sq.ft. Facilities include a swimming pool, gymnasium, conference room, squash arena, multipurpose hall and a few others.

Project Name : Bayu Residence
Location : Butterworth
Property Type : Residential
Total Units: 113 (condo), 18 (townhouse)
Built-up Area: 1,618sq.ft., 1,722sq.ft, 1,825sq.ft. (condo)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : Freehold Profile Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map:

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.