GEORGE TOWN, 17 Oct 2017:
The DAP-led state government wants the federal government to build more affordable homes in Penang, especially 1Malaysia People’s Housing (PR1MA) projects.
State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said so far, the state government had only received confirmation on two PR1MA projects in Penang, despite several announcements on the matter.
Based on records, the projects were approved by the Penang City Council and there was no application of PR1MA project under the Seberang Prai Municipal Council..
He said the two projects were at Bukit Gelugor, involving 1,823 units, and the other in Batu Ferringhi (1,248 units) .
As such, he urged Penang Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman to explain on an announcement he made last month that 16,297 units of PR1MA houses would be built.
Jagdeep Singh said the state government planned to build 27,230 units of affordable homes, involving 17 projects, in all five districts in Penang.
“Our first affordable housing project in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan is nearly 100% completed, while the other projects are making significant progress.”
Meanwhile in Kuantan, the Pahang government denied the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) project – which collected RM19 billion in investments until end of last year – disregarded the local community, including in terms of employment.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob also denied claims those applying for jobs at MCKIP project should understand Mandarin, adding that it was just an additional requirement where those would be working directly with the Chinese.
“There are many Chinese nationals at the MCKIP area, but I am sure they are the skilled workers… the local people are also being hired and from what In understand, it became an issue when the Mandarin requirement cropped up.
“Following checks, it was found that it (Mandarin) is only an addition requirement, and the Malay, Indian and Chinese can apply for a job there. if they know Mandarin, it is their advantage, not compulsory. Surely, they need people who know the language to be the middlemen.”
He was responding to a report by a portal which claimed the project was a failure as it did not benefit the local residents.
– Bernama