‘Why different rules for federal agencies?’

GEORGE TOWN: The state Umno is disappointed that affordable housing projects undertaken by three federal agencies here were required to go through the State Planning Committee chaired by the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Its chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said it was unfair that only three agencies — Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda), JKP Sdn Bhd and UDA Holdings Bhd — had to go through such procedures.

“Their (the agencies) intention is to develop affordable housing projects for the benefit of the people, so why complicate the procedures?” said Zainal Abidin, who is also the JKP chairman.

He also questioned why other private developers needed only to go through the Penang Municipal Council or the Seberang Prai Municipal Council to get their projects approved.

“I urge the chief minister (Lim) to set aside politics as the issue of affordable housing concerns the rakyat,” said Zainal Abidin,

He also revealed that both Perda and JKP were planning to build 12,000 units of affordable housing in the state by 2016.

“These projects may be in danger of being stalled as the State Planning Committee only hold monthly meetings,” said Zainal Abidin.

Meanwhile, state Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the state government should not ‘pick on’ federal agencies by introducing unnecessary process for the agencies’ developments.

“We have affordable housing projects in Balik Pulau, Sungai Batu as well as Teluk Bahang which have yet to be approved for more than three years,” said Azhar who is also the Perda chairman.

“We are frustrated with the ‘discrimination’ of our affordable housing projects as the units are sold not only to the Malays but also to other eligible people regardless of their race,” he told reporters during the Nibong Tebal Umno division Raya open house at Bukit Jawi Golf Resort yesterday.

The festivities this year was more meaningful as it also celebrated the marriage of Zainal Abidin’s eldest son Nadhir Ashafiq to Shazwani Mohd Sharif, both 24.

Some 20,000 local residents thronged the event, which started at 11am to enjoy a variety of local delicacies such as satay, mee goreng and cendol. - The Star