Penang government has consistently monitored the housing affordability within the state and made amendments to the housing policies, which has become necessary as a result of feedback from people and developers. Find out how does the cross-subsidization of LC and LMC works to ensure adequate supply of housing for the lower and middle-income groups.
FIND OUT MORE:
Penang CM speaks to Penang Property Talk on Vision 2030
About The Zen
A mixed development by Asia Green at Bayan Mutiara. It is located next to Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway, just a short drive away from the ongoing Penang World City township development by Tropicana Ivory. This development comprises a 46-storey skyscraper with two residential towers, and shop offices located at lower level. The residential component will feature 1,200 affordable units and 730 bigger open market units.
Find out more about The Zen development
The Penang government has drawn up 16 strategic initiatives to attract investors and stakeholders to invest in the state in line with the Penang 2030 vision.
According to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (pic), the strategic initiatives would drive the state’s economic growth in a positive direction, apart from enhancing competitiveness and the people’s quality of life.
“Each initiative has four themes, divided according to the jurisdiction of the members involved.
“Among the initiatives are women’s development, community welfare, digital infrastructure improvement, tourism and culture, housing, and safer, smart and green technology, ” he told a press conference after attending the Penang Forum 2030 here Saturday (Sept 7).
“Apart from accelerating industrial growth through development projects, the initiatives would also provide an opportunity for the public to participate in any government development plans in the state, ” he added.
Chow said 16 members comprising council and executive council (exco) members from the State Economic Planning Division have been selected to lead the initiatives based on their portfolios and experience.
“They were selected at the discretion of the chief minister, state secretary and top officials of the state government, and (the members) must cooperate with the exco to achieve the objectives of the initiatives, ” he added.
Organised by Advance Tertiary College, the forum, titled “Penang 2030: A Family-Focused Green and Smart That Inspires The Nation”, was attended by 50 participants comprising students, legal practitioners, and college lecturers.
Besides Chow, other panel speakers were lawyer Datuk Joshua Kevin, Penang Dapsy treasurer Benji Ang, and Pertubuhan Sihat Selalu chairman Dr Chong Ren Jye.
Source: Bernama
FIND OUT MORE:
Exclusive Interview: Penang CM speaks to Penang Property Talk on Vision 2030 (Housing, Transportation & Talent)
Housing affordability and diversity are some of key focus in Penang Vision 2030. Several measures have been put in place to ensure the availability of affordable houses for B40 and M40 income group. Listen to what our CM has to say on response from developers and the challenges.
FIND OUT MORE:
Penang CM speaks to Penang Property Talk on Vision 2030
A Penang executive councillor said many buyers of the state’s low-cost homes have no issues over renovation and car park packages being offered by developers as they consider them to be convenient.
However, State Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said these packages offered by developers are strictly optional.
Those forcing buyers to take them up will face the music, he warned.
Jagdeep was commenting on criticism by the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) yesterday that buyers of low-cost units are still being forced to pay between RM120,000 and RM180,000, with extras thrown in, although the state-mandated prices for such homes are either RM42,000 or RM72,500.
“We have always said that these packages are optional and cannot be forced on anyone.
“If the developers force you to take them up, please complain to us and we will take action,” he said at a press conference today.
Jagdeep also revealed that many buyers did not complain over these packages. He said some also wanted extra parking lots.
“In fact, a lot of these buyers do not complain, because when you buy an empty unit, they still need to renovate. That is why the developers offer these packages that appear attractive to them.
“But all this is strictly optional. If the buyer wants an empty unit, with absolutely nothing, and wants to take his own mattress and one pillow to go and sleep there, then the developer must sell it to them at either RM42,000 or RM72,500,” he said.
CAP had revealed that many developers of low-cost homes were arm-twisting buyers to take up the optional extras or else risk losing the chance to own the property.
It claimed that these buyers succumb to the pressure as they have been on a waiting list for a long time, some up to 20 years.
The “renovation” packages being offered vary, depending on the developer, CAP had said. One company offered just tiling and a washbasin, while others offered painting, door grilles and more.
The buyers claimed they were also persuaded to go for units on the lower floors or the “corner lots”.
The low-cost homes are built by private developers in Penang as part of the state government’s requirement to build 30% low-cost homes, priced between RM42,000 and RM72,500.
Those who want to buy these units have to go to the Penang Housing Department, which in turn vets their applications for eligibility and later allocates homes for the deserving.
Over the past two months, CAP had revealed nearly 20 cases where buyers were forced to pay more than double for their homes. These were for extras such as car parks and renovation packages developers recommended.
Source: FreeMalaysiaToday.com
