Story by Chan Lilian
CLAIMS that the state government is on a vendetta against Putrajaya with regards to housing have been refuted by exco member for Housing and Town & Country Planning Jagdeep Singh Deo.
“We treat all projects equally. There is no tit-for-tat unlike Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan who has been reported to adopt this method of dealing with matters,” he added.
“Recently, four projects were approved by the state. These four projects are by the federal government agencies, JKP Sdn Bhd and Perda. In fact, I work very closely with JKP and assisted them in settling issues related to squatters. One of such example is the Mutiara RINI project in Kampung Pisang Awak,” he said.
He also urged Abdul Rahman to check his facts and prove that Penang withheld approval of housing projects.
“It is not true. Four projects namely JKP Projects in Nibong Tebal with 750 units of affordable homes, Bukit Panchor, Penanti and Mukim 19 in SPT were approved,” Jagdeep said.
“Now it is time for Abdul Rahman to approve the advertising permit and development licence (APDL) that have remained long outstanding in his ministry. There are 47 APDL still pending and these are for affordable housing projects. Can you imagine the economic gain if these 47 APDLs are approved? Developers need the licence to sell their projects and yet, Abdul Rahman is withholding the approval,” Jagdeep added.
When asked to comment on the Budget 2016, Jagdeep said his wish list for Penang will be getting fair treatment from the federal government.
“I hope PRIMA will come to Penang and building affordable homes here. Since 2012, not a single unit has been built. It is very unfair as Penang contributes the second highest tax revenue to the country. Surely the people deserve public housing,” he added.
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