An artist’s impression of the proposed affordable housing project at Kampung Jawa, Butterworth, Penang.

The Penang government is prepared to increase the RM500mil Public and Affordable Housing Fund if it is not sufficient to build 20,000 housing units in all five districts in the state.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that despite not receiving any funding from the Federal Government, it was able to set up the largest housing fund in Malaysian history by any state government.

“The RM500mil fund is a testimony of a clean government and integrity in leadership,” Lim said in a statement yesterday.

He said the 30,000 people who registered with the state Housing Department should receive the application forms within a week.

“The state government needs to know how many are interested so that we can plan and be assured that there will be sufficient buyers for the 20,000 units,” he added.

Among the 10 locations for the public housing projects are Jalan S.P. Chelliah, Teluk Kumbar, Jelutong and Pintasan Cecil on the island and in Batu Kawan, Kampung Jawa, Mak Mandin, Ampang Jajar, Bukit Mertajam and Juru on the mainland.

Meanwhile, state Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo has urged the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry to respond to their enquiry on the proposed PR1MA affordable housing schemes in Penang.

“We have our affordable housing projects and we need a response from the Federal Government on their PR1MA housing projects,” Jagdeep said at a press conference after presenting school uniform vouchers to 100 primary students in Datuk Keramat yesterday.

PR1MA is an affordable housing scheme in key urban areas for Malaysian citizens earning between RM2,500 and RM7,000 monthly.

Source: StarProperty.my

After the successful sales of One Imperial, Ideal property is launching the phase two of Imperial Residences, which was also known as Imperial II. This development is strategically located within the established township of Sungai Ara, next to One Imperial. Comprising condominium units with size ranging from 1,100 sq.ft. onwards.

Property Project: Imperial Residences
Location : Sungai Ara, Penang
Property Type : Condominium
Land Tenure : Freehold
Built-up Area: 1,100 sq. ft. onwards
Developer : Ideal Property
Indicative Price : RM550,000 onwards

Location Map:

The second Penang bridge, which is now 99.9% completed, is expected to be opened to the public in February, said Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.

“Only the construction of two toll plazas in Batu Kawan – one at the Bandar Cassia interchange and the other at the interchange connecting to the North-South Expressway (NSE) – is yet to be completed.

“Upon completion, the 28-booth toll plaza in Bandar Cassia will be the largest in the country,” he told a press conference at the China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (M) Sdn Bhd office in Batu Maung here.

Currently, the Sungai Besi toll plaza is the largest one in the country with over 18 lanes.

The Bandar Cassia toll plaza (PB2X Toll Plaza) will be managed by Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd. NSE operator PLUS Expressway Bhd will operate the other one (PLUS Toll Plaza).

“The PB2X Toll Plaza is meant for motorists who are not using the NSE, especially the locals who want to commute to the island from the Batu Kawan area. After the construction is done, we have to integrate the system with other highways such as the NSE,” Fadillah said.

He added that the bridge would be opened to the public only after it met requirements set by the Malaysian Highway Authority.

On talk that toll rates would be increased next year, he said they were subject to review every three to five years and added that the toll rates for the bridge were still at the negotiation stage.

“We have a total of 29 tolled highways in the country and the concession agreements vary.

“For example, the NSE is due to be reviewed in 2016,” he said, adding that a few highway tolls would be reviewed next year and the incremental rate would depend on the Federal Government, which would take into account its financial position and the people’s economic situation.

The second Penang bridge, spanning 24km with 16.9km over the sea, is expected to ease at least 25% of traffic congestion on Penang Bridge.

Source: StarProperty.my

State Housing, Town and Country Planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is standing firm with its new ruling on property sale even as critics slam it, saying the ruling is illegal.

State Housing, Town and Country Planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state controls the land office, so with land being a state matter, it has the mechanism to impose restrictions on property sale.

“In order for a person to own a property, he must get it registered at the land office.

“Under the ruling, we can impose a 2% levy, on top of the existing 0.1% stipulated for transfer of land title,” he said on the sidelines of the state assembly meeting here yesterday.

Several groups, including Gerakan and MCA, have taken the state government to task over the new ruling that it plans to enforce from Feb 1 next year, saying it would be illegal as the National Land Code needs to be revised first before the ruling can be enacted.

“Currently, the application fee for any transaction pertaining to a leasehold property is 0.1% of the selling price,” said Jagdeep.

“As for freehold property, the seller will have to produce a statutory declaration that they have indeed paid the 2% levy before the transfer of land title can take place,” he said, adding that the new ruling would only affect property bought with sales and purchase agreements signed from February.

Jagdeep said the restriction would be imposed on properties priced above RM250,000 in Seberang Prai and above RM400,000 on Penang Island sold within three years of being purchased.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also brushed off criticisms.

“We have been subjected to criticisms from the Consumer Association of Penang and Gerakan. At first they criticised the state government for not doing anything to help. When we try to help, they attack us. So, what do you want us to do?” he asked at a press conference yesterday.

Several groups have come to the defence of the state government, saying the ruling would curb speculation.

Source: StarProperty.my

PG88 @ Teluk Kumbar, a residential development by TPPT Sdn. Bhd. within the vicinity of Teluk Kumbar Heights in Penang. It is only mere minutes drive to Penang International Airport and approximately 10km aways from Penang Second Bridge.

This development comprises 24 units of 3-storey terraces, with an indicative price of RM880,000 onwards.

Property Project : PG88 @ Teluk Kumbar
Location : Teluk Kumbar, Penang
Property Type : 3-storey Terrace
Built-up Area : 2,600 sq.ft. onwards
Total Units: 24
Tenure : Freehold
Indicative Price : RM 880,000 onwards
Developer: TPPT Sdn. Bhd.

Location Map: