GEORGE TOWN: The state government has acquired a 1.29ha piece of land at a cost of RM20mil in Jelutong for use as a Muslim cemetery and public housing.
State Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said 0.67ha of the land would be used for low medium-cost public housing and the rest would be set aside for a Muslim cemetery.
“Another RM60mil will be spent to build flats for some of the existing residents on the land.”
Abdul Malik said the Federal Government had initially agreed to acquire the land during the previous administration but they reneged on the agreement when the Pakatan government took over.
“All the 14 land owners have been compensated but only four of the 29 building owners have come forward to claim their compensation.
“They can come to the Northeast District Land Office in Komtar to claim their compensation which is deposited with the court,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Also present was Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who said the acquisition of the land belonging to non-Muslims for use as a Muslim cemetery was rare but the state had to do this due to the scarcity of land on the island. - The Star
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