Sowing seeds of change

Greening the inner city: An illustration of Armenian Park and the shrubs that will be planted there.

THE George Town heritage enclave in Penang is poised to become a greenery hub soon, as the coming months will see some 1,000 trees and shrubs being planted along Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Armenian.

The project which includes a people’s park, is estimated to cost RM500,000 and will take three months to complete.

George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) acting general manager Lim Chooi Ping (pic) said public feedback was still being collected on the proposed plan.

“The Armenian Park will have a local identity. It will be a place where you can rest and take in the unique surroundings.

“The streets bordering it were chosen for the greening project as this is the focal point of the heritage core zone,” she said.

The existing ground posed a challenge for the project as it is fragmented, barren and unpleasant.

Under the greening project, seating areas and public art will be installed.

Issues to be addressed in Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Armenian are narrow streets and pavements, damaged outdoor seats and open spaces being used as car parks.

Lim said once the streets were well shaded by trees, more people will be inclined to explore the area on foot.

She said the greening of Lebuh Acheh and Lebuh Armenian was a continuation of the Lebuh Carnarvon pilot project.

“Next up will be Beach Street, Light Street and Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling,” she said.

In July 2010, the greening of the city’s heritage enclave kicked off with Carnarvon Street.

The project to plant trees along the road dividers was launched during the state’s second anniversary celebration of George Town’s listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The greening project is part of the ‘Cleaner Greener Penang’ initiative by the Penang Government and is administered by GTWHI in partnership with Penang Municipal Council, Think City Sdn Bhd (TCSB) and Penang Institute.

Among the objectives of the project are to encourage and strengthen community participation in the management of public gardens and to create awareness about shared public areas.

“A more connected city and improved streetscapes (which are) sensitive towards the entry points to the heritage zone will improve commercial activities and enhance the George Town experience,” Lim said.

An exhibition of the proposed plan is being held now on the ground floor of the GTWHI office at 116 - 118 Lebuh Acheh.

The public can view the plan and provide their feedback until March 23 from 8am to 5pm.

产业发展蓬勃带旺 槟市局收入达2亿7336万

（槟城18日讯）槟岛市政局理财有方，在2011年的总收入高达2亿7336万8858令吉，比财政预算案预计总收入2亿5109万0081令吉，增加了2227万8777令吉，其中市政局拜槟岛产业发展蓬勃所致，在征收发展服务金方面，以5787万6008令吉税收居总收入项目榜首！
市政局每年共有11种各类型的收入，包括占据总收入最高巴仙率的门牌税、执照与准证、发展服务金、销售资产、租金、中央辅助金、各类罚款及各类市局收入。当中8项收入，比市局财政预算案中的预期收入还高，一些甚至高一倍收入，其中发展服务金的财政预算案，预计将收到3645万1322令吉，惟截至2011年12月31日，市局实际收到5787万6008令吉，比预算高出近一倍。
另外，各类罚款如交通罚单、卫生罚单等收入，也比预期中的248万3200令吉，高出114%，共收到531万1449令吉。虽然如此，仍有一些收入是比财政预算预期中来得低，这包括租金收入，预算案预计将收到2426万4692，然而市局只收到1466万5536令吉。
郑来兴：迈向国际城市
槟岛市议员郑来兴接受《光华日报》访问时表示，发展服务金比财政预算案预计的来得高，这证明的在2011年，槟州的产业发展非常蓬勃，因为发展服务金都是从发展计划中，所抽取的税务，同时是发展商缴付土地转换的费用。他指出，产业发展蓬勃是好现象，这显示槟城迈向国际城市的方向进行中。
随着市局的实际收入比财政预算案高出2000万令吉，他表示有了这些收入，市局能提升更多州内的基本设施，及更好的完成目前正进行的治水计划。他担保市局会善用这些钱来提升基本设施，以回馈市民。
罚款收入高企　并非锁车轮制所致
市局的罚款收入比预算高企，并不是因为施行锁车轮制所致。
郑来兴表示，市局并非靠罚款来增加收入，反之市局的立场是不希望人民犯规，自然在各类罚款收入预算也没有设在高数额。各类罚款如交通罚单、卫生罚单、锁车轮罚款等等的收入，比预期中的248万3200令吉预算，高出114%，市局共收到531万1449令吉。
他说，罚款收入的预算不能设得太高，不过在现实中若市民犯规，市局也须开出罚单检举，这也是为何各类罚款会比预算案中来得高。询及去年实施的锁车轮车制度，是否也间接增加罚款收入，他表示锁车轮车也只是各类罚款收入的一种，也只是增加逾20万令吉收入，因此各类罚款的收入增加，不完全是拖车制度所致。
流动车收税反应不佳
由于缴税管道繁多，去年6月试跑的槟岛市局流动车收税情况不踊跃。
流动车宣传方面可能不是很好，因此流动车的效果不是很理想。再加上缴税管道很多，民众可以通过网络、银行、槟岛市政局柜台及邮政局缴交。而市局流动车只是一个额外的服务，让一些不便出外的民众方便缴税。
虽然如此，市局流动车不会因此而停止，郑来兴说，会在宣传方面下手，改良各种宣传管道，在流动车前往该区前，让民众清楚掌握流动车的去向 。
发展计划未达成协议　导致租金收入减少
市局的租金收入减少，是因为一项发展计划仍未达成协议。
虽然发展服务金比预期增加了一倍，然而门牌税及租金都各自比预期减少了2%及41%。租金实际收入比预期少了约1000万令吉。郑来兴表示，租金实际收入会比预算案收入少去约一半，是因为在2011年，一个出租计划还未谈妥，目前仍在洽谈中。
因此，原本预计如果该计划谈妥后，租金收入将会有1000万令吉，如今未达成协议，因此租金实际收入比预期中减少。
遭拖欠4086万门牌税
截止2011年12月31日，市政局共收到1亿5063万6279令吉门牌税，比在财政预算案预计收获1亿5477万4181令吉少了2.7%。截止2011年，市局遭拖欠门牌税高达4086万7439令吉。
郑来兴表示，门牌税占据槟岛市政局总收入61.6%，所幸去年市政局多项收入比预期高出很多，因此即使门牌税比预计来得少，也不影响市政局的预算案。
他说，截止2011年，槟岛市局仍被拖欠4086万7439令吉的门牌税，比起截止2010年拖欠的4037万0177令吉，市局遭拖欠的税收增加约50万令吉。
询及2011年被拖欠的门牌税已缴清多少，他表示，市政局旧有的系统无法给予明确数额，如要明确数额另需要人工计算，这需要耗费很多时间。不过，市政局去年已向威省购买他们在使用的计算系统，因此从今年起，就能给予所清还遭拖欠的门牌税的明确数额。
拖欠门牌税　商业单位占多数
拖欠门牌税以商业单位为最多，占据47%，其次是家庭用户，占据37%，其余是工业2%，酒店业5%和其他单位9%。
他说，很多商业单位已拖欠门牌税多年，而排在榜首的商业单位甚至已经累积了80多万令吉，排在榜末的也拖欠逾2万令吉。他指出，很多拖欠门牌税多年的商业单位，都是空置的单位，即无法租出去或售卖出去，因此就一直拖欠门牌税。
有权查封拍卖单位
他指出，市政局有权向法庭申请庭令，查封该单位并进行拍卖。而市政局法律部已经针对几家公司准备文件准备呈上法庭。虽然如此，他也说，已有几个商业单位的欠债者，向他表示目前已接洽买家，希望市局能通融压后，待产业易手后，便能缴清拖欠的门牌税。
民众受促速缴税
2012年上半年门牌税收只受达88%，民众受促尽快缴交。
郑来兴表示，市政局在去年12月已发出2012年上半年的门牌税信函，应有收入是7110万9422令吉。民众给予2个月时间缴交门牌税，不过截至2月29日，市政局只收到88%门牌税，即6264万3038令吉，12%的门牌税遭拖欠，即846万6384令吉还未上缴。
虽然如此还有12%的门牌税未上缴，他并不担心，他说，根据往常经验，通常在3月份及4月份还是会民众继续缴交门牌税，不过迟交门牌税将会被罚款5令吉。而市政局也会发出通知信予未缴交门牌税的民众，催促他们尽快缴交。- 光华

山坡建高楼恐肇土崩 居民举横幅“向发展商说不”

 (槟岛西南区18日讯）近百名来自新港德沙乐雨林园A、雨林园B、Regency Height及阳光花园（Sunrise Garden）的公寓居民于周日联合召开记者会，高举“我们向发展商说不”的抗议横幅，同时炮轰州政府罔顾人民安全，贸然批准发展商在斜度山坡开发屋业计划，要居民承受可能发生土崩的风险。
据居民所指，两项即将落实的屋业计划，首个计划是位于雨林园A及阳光花园公寓后的山坡，据知有关发展蓝图已被槟岛市政局批准。第2个计划则是位于樟角肯纳里（Changkat Kenari）第3条路后的山坡，居民不满原本说好要兴建半独立住宅，现在却变成兴建高楼公寓，居民担忧会发生土崩。
威胁山坡下居民安危　3大原因反对发展山坡
阳光花 园公寓居民协会主席尼古拉斯指出，刚在上个月，槟岛市政局批准兴建472个公寓单位及92间豪宅的发展蓝图，威胁着处于山坡下方的阳光花园公寓160户居民及雨林园A住着24户居民的安危。
他声称，居民反对声浪从去年开始泛起，反对主要针对3大原因，有关山坡已被列为保护地、斜度超过25度及水平线处于250度以上。
他表示，虽然居民曾会见槟州城乡策划，房屋及艺术行政议员黄汉伟及峇都茅州议员阿都玛力，可惜他们都没有得正面回应及帮助。
他声称，在308之前，前朝政府曾驳回2个州内主要发展商申请发展，可是民联执政后，州政府却批准工程并交予外州发展商。
雨林园A：市局仅发函予3户
雨林园A居民协会委员陈秀喜疑惑地表示，上个月27日，仅有3名居民接获市政局来信，指示他们可在1月内作出反映，他们希望可以在限期内收集民意，向市政局表达他们的意愿。
雨林园B：州政府罔顾人命
雨林园B居民协会主席江招明谴责州政府罔顾人民的性命安全，为了自身利益，典当人民的安危。
他指出，这项屋业计划工程会影响住在山坡下724户居民，包括Regency Height的504户居民及樟角肯纳里第1条路至第3条路排屋的220户居民。
吴家丽：29日出席聆听会
财政吴家丽指出，他们自2008年迁入该地，当时居民获知旁边有块山坡是要兴建半独立住宅。可是在上个月22日，居民接获市政局来信，通知有关地段将改为兴建高楼公寓，居民已致函反对，并会在本月29日出席聆听会。
她说，有关发展计划是1栋22层楼高、142个单位的公寓，居民担心这个处于水平线238尺、斜度29度的山坡，在兴建公寓后会发生土崩，陆续爆发的是环境污染及泊车位不足的问题等。- 光华

The many extras on offer can be irresistible for the home buyer

IF you are looking to buy a new house or apartment, there has never been a better time than now to seriously consider it.

With home builders becoming more competitive in their quest to win new buyers and investors, and with higher demands from purchasers, there is now a wide range of extras to entice the potential buyer.

This is especially so in the higher end of the market, where purchasers are generally more discerning and more demanding. They are prepared to pay top dollar for a new home, and they expect to get the best product.

As a result, built-ins such as kitchen cabinets and wardrobes are becoming standard fare in newly built homes. In many areas, so are some basic appliances such as refrigerators, ceiling fans and air-conditioners.

In the higher end of the market, the design and concept are also important. Homes are sold on emotion as much as style and utility. The home must not just be a place one wants to come home to it must also be able to impress the guests.

While these extras go a long way in helping a potential buyer make his choice, equally important is how he is going to pay for it. Developers, working together with financial institutions, now offer various benefits in the financing packages that not only make it easier for the buyer to make his initial payments, but also save him some money in the longer term.

How do these new schemes work?

When a developer has a new project to launch, the many domestic banks as well as foreign banks that have operations in Malaysia are invited to offer financing packages to potential buyers.

Given that banks have to work within very strict guidelines set by our monetary authorities, the packages they offer are mainly confined to attractive interest rates for loans.

In today's market, most banks offer home loans at interest rates of BLR (base lending rate) minus 2.45% to 2.5%. With the BLR at 6.6% today, buyers pay a 4.1% to 4.15% interest on their loans.

This offer comes with a caveat a lock-in period of three to five years, during which a penalty will be charged if the borrower decides to refinance his purchase with another bank. The penalty is usually about 3% of the loan amount.

Apart from absorbing the legal fees and stamp duty on the loan agreement, there is not very much more that banks are allowed to offer. Banks used to absorb the penalty imposed on borrowers who move their loans from other banks, as well as the fees for discharge and new loan agreement but even these are also not permitted now.

Where the banker's hands are tied, the developer has now come in with offers that help to ease the financial burden on buyers further.

The absorption of legal fees on the sale and purchase agreement as well as the stamp duty and other miscellaneous charges are now standard fare offered by developers.

Some developers have taken it a step further by offering an interest-absorption scheme to those who buy into a newly launched property. This works in the sell-then-build concept, which is the practice in Malaysia.

When someone buys a new property, he usually is able to get a loan of up to 90% of the purchase price. For instance, if the property costs RM1mil, he will have to pay a 10% down-payment, or RM100,000, upon signing the sale and purchase agreement.

The remaining RM900,000 is disbursed by the bank to the developer at various stages of the construction from the completion of the foundation, the structure, walls and so on in lump sums of 10% or more.

Interest is only charged by the bank on the amount that has been disbursed, and while the project is still under construction, the developer pays the interest to the bank. For landed property, the construction period usually takes 24 months while high-rise projects take up to 36 months.

The buyer only starts paying when the project is completed and vacant possession of the property is handed over to him by the developer. The total sum in interest borne by the developer can thus be quite substantial.

But for those who are unable to make that first 10% down-payment, there is yet another solution. Developers now accept credit cards for the down-payment, so long as the credit limit is sufficient to cover the amount.

The buyer then repays the amount in instalments over one or two years under an “interest-free instalment plan”, much like what is on offer now for purchases at various consumer goods outlets.

The interest incurred on the sum borrowed on credit card is absorbed by the developer.

Offers such as the interest absorption scheme and the credit card plan are geared towards helping the potential buyer take the big step towards owning a property.

As competition toughens, developers are bound to come up with even more offers and extras to attract buyers. However, these offers eat into profits. Rising costs of land and materials also put pressure on margins.

Like any enterprise, there is a limit to how much extras or discounts the developer can offer. It cannot reach a point where it is no longer economically viable to proceed with a project.

Meanwhile, it is still a shopping haven for property buyers. So why wait? - The Star

● Teh Lip Kim is the MD of SDB Properties Sdn Bhd, a lifestyle property company. Bouquets and brickbats are welcomed. Send by email tomd@sdb.com.my

Looking at relevance in development

THE art of placemaking will determine whether a place or project resonates with its target audience, and contributes to higher value and quality of the overall living environment.

According to Wikipedia, placemaking capitalises on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, ultimately creating good public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well being. “Placemaking is both a process and a philosophy,” it points out.

In this profit-driven and consumerist age, placemaking may have been commercialised to bolster the cash register and companies' bottomline, but in its original simplistic form, it actually encapsulates both the tangible and intangible elements that give meaning to a place.

Things like the sights and sounds of a place, general ambience, colours, smell, building forms and architecture, and even the energy and aura of a place all come to mind. In a nutshell, they constitute things that are held dear by the community and make life meaningful to the people.

I'm sure most of us have come across places that we took a liking to the very first time we set eyes or foot on them; and there are those that did just the opposite to our senses.

Not just a market: The TTDI market in Jalan Wan Kadir. While deliberating on the redevelopment plan for the market, let’s not forget that a traditional wet market still has a role to play in our communities.

Besides the building structures and facilities, I believe it must have something to do with a place's aura and energy that determine whether it continues to be relevant to the community.

With that in mind it is important to ensure that, in the pursuit of development, the “heart and soul” and elements that give meaning to our housing estates, townships and cities are cherished and safeguarded.

Some of these places include historical buildings, cultural and arts centres, and not to forget, our alma mater the schools and universities.

Places like open fields, parks and markets are also where communities come together and they need to be perpetuated for our local communities to thrive.

These are places where we can see Malaysians of all races converge and engage with one another in true blue Malaysian spirit and appreciate each other.

Without these public spaces, the decadence in the communal spirit, which is already setting in, is bound to worsen.

Although fields, parks and markets do not generate income to the local councils, they are important community-building assets and public spaces, and should not be roped in for development purposes.

News reports that some quarters are eyeing the site of the 25-year-old Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) wet market complex for redevelopment into a mixed-used development have understandably upset many people, especially the local community who get their daily fresh produce from there, and the traders who depend on the market for a living.

The interested parties are said to have submitted their plan to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which owns the market complex, and the plan is said to be under consideration.

While deliberating on whether to allow the redevelopment plan to go ahead, and what kind of concept it should be, let's not forget that a traditional wet market still has a role to play in our communities.

Besides being the place for folks from TTDI and the surrounding housing estates to buy fresh produce of fish, poultry, meat, vegetables and fruits, it is also a much appreciated community meeting place.

Although the hypermarkets and supermarkets with their frozen food section is an alternative source, home makers and those who opt to do their marketing daily at the wet market should have that option availed to them.

As for the traders that number more than 200, many of them were moved from the former Kuala Lumpur Central Market in Jalan Hang Kasturi some 25 years ago when the old market was closed for a major renovation.

A good number of them are second generation traders, having taken over the business from their elderly parents or siblings. Today the refurbished Central Market is a cultural, arts and craft centre.

Having dutifully moved from their old trading place in Kuala Lumpur to TTDI, the traders' wishes are to ensure any redevelopment plan of the market complex will preserve the concept of a traditional wet market, instead of taking after a modern hypermarket concept that will inadvertently take away the rice bowl of these traders.

If the decision is to proceed with the redevelopment plan, the authorities should look into a spanking new market with better equipped facilities, such as multi-storey car parks and a more hygienic and clean environment.

Longer operating hours will be a definite improvement to cater to office workers who can only do their marketing in the evenings.

Whatever the plan may be, there should be more transparency and engagement with the local community, traders and other stakeholders, to ensure a holistic and equitable solution for all. - The Star

● Deputy news editor Angie Ng reminisces about the good old days when the community spirit was strong and unchaperoned children walked around freely unharmed.

首长主持威北威中大蓝图推展礼 “威北人需海底隧道”

（大山脚15日讯）威省市政局今日公开2020年威北及威中发展大蓝图，从即日起至4月12日，在柏达镇威省市局举办展览会让公众一窥发展内容，而公众也可向当局提供任何意见。
槟州首长林冠英今日为威北、威中地方发展大蓝图公开展示推展礼时表示，1976年城市及乡区规划法令赋予民众权利，检阅及为该发展大蓝图提供意见。
林冠英表示，槟州政府需要准备4项地方发展计划，其中包括槟岛，以及威省三区发展计划，而现阶段（收集民众意见）则是必经的阶段。
他披露，威中的发展计划自2006年2月1日开始策划，而威北的则于2005年4月1日开始，共耗资64万8093令吉。
“州政府尤其希望通过收集民众及非政府组织的意见，以拟定对威中及威北最佳的发展大蓝图。”
他表示，所有的发展计划，都需符合槟州政府的4项原则，及绿意、健康、安全、以及清洁的槟州。
麦姆娜：欢迎提意见
威省市政局麦姆娜欢迎来自威省的公众，前来检阅并为发展大蓝图提供意见。
麦姆娜表示，展览从即日起至下月12日，然而意见收集则是从即日起至下月19日。“任何反映的意见，都可以以个人、团体、或是社委会、组织等名义，以公函形式或是备忘录形式呈交予威省市政局。”
她披露，除柏达镇市局外，公众也可到威北及威中土地局，以及光大57楼的槟州城乡规划局查阅。
“根据1976年城市及乡区规划法令，公众有权要求有关当局展延多一个月，但倘若到时没有人要求，威省市政局就不会延长。”
她在记者会上表示，槟州城乡规划局将会委任一批委员，来评估公众的意见。
询及若公众反对某项计划，当局会否因此而取消，就此，麦姆娜仅表示委员会将会各种意见作出评估及考虑。
反对声来自马华
林冠英在致词时，手持英文报纸报道，为海底隧道说项。该报章于今日专题报道，峇都加湾地区一代的居民对于第二大桥即将建竣满心期待。
他表示，威中以及威南分别拥有第一及第二大桥来往槟威两地，因此威北的人民也需要海底隧道。
林冠英坚称，自己曾经亲自询问威北的民众对于海底隧道的意见，当时一个反对的声音也没有。“反对的只是马华，任何好政策他们都会反对。”
他还说，虽然威北是国阵的强区，但是槟州政府不会因此而忽略威北的发展。
建议中的威北发展计划
1. 北海屋业发展在珍菲市、麦曼珍、拉惹勿达、峇眼拉浪、峇眼亚占及峇眼达南。
2. 新建工业区在西南路，提升麦曼珍及双溪罗甘的工业区。
3. 扩大高巴末那戎（Kubang Menerong）的农业基地。
4. 开发新路，从双溪赖至Nyior Sebatang、柏淡路至巴东色海、日落斗哇至吉打港口、柏淡路至打昔牛汝莪。提升道路设施，包括西南路、峇眼亚占路至独立桥、高巴末那戎路至打昔牛汝莪路、打昔牛汝莪路至阿拉古拉。
5. 轻地下铁（LMT）从北海－峇眼亚占－甲抛峇底及从北海－双溪赖－打昔牛汝莪。
6. 长6.5公里的海底隧道，从峇眼亚占至槟岛新关子角。
7. 在打昔牛汝莪及阿拉古拉开发饲养观赏鱼场，在日落斗哇开发饲养贝类。同时提升原有的农业区。
8. 推展历史旅游地区，包括北海火车站、码头、柏玛当柏奴安铁匠业、甲抛峇底出产的马来拖鞋、瓜拉姆拉渔产业、威北Guar Kepar及Kota Aur的考古学。
建议中的威中发展计划
1. 重新规划乡区的屋业发展，包括诗布朗再也、峇东埔、峇冬丁宜及大山脚。
2. 在埔再也花园、高巴三万及柔府再也建立新概念的巴刹。
3. 工业发展在甘榜峇眼色海。
4. 本南地、阿尔玛及武吉敏惹设立轻工业区。
5. 在武吉敏惹工业区设立研究及发展中心。
6. 在柔府设立农业基地。
7. 开发新路及提升道路设施，从高巴三万至大山脚。
8. 发展柏达镇市区、北赖植物园、大山脚体育中心、安邦惹惹市中心及武吉柔府旅游胜地。
9. 特别区域计划在凤凰花园、大山脚本南地、阿尔玛督坤、柏玛当拉哇及武吉丁雅。-

园主拟售地 居民陆续搬 浮罗勿洞恐人口流失

槟岛西南区15日讯）由于近年来园地有价，又愁没接班人，浮罗勿洞很多园主有意脱售园地，造成许多居住在私人园地的居民未雨绸缪，先在邻区物色房子，一旦陆续搬走后，恐使该村人口流失加剧！
换言之，这也无可避免地加剧该村唯一华小－浮罗勿洞华小新生来源短缺情况。近年来，因为华裔生育率减低及人口外流，该校学生人数今年只有56人。
魏荣贵：多从事捕鱼种植业
该村社区发展暨治安委员会主席魏荣贵对本报表示，该村约有近百户华人住家，但只有10余户建在政府临时地契地段上，其余大部分居民都是住在私人园地，每年定期缴付地租给园主。
“在这种情况下，只要园主卖地，供发展商发展，受影响的居民就必须搬离该处，目前已有一些居民未雨绸缪，先向政府申请邻近地区的廉价屋，只要一接获搬迁指令，他们就会随时搬离。”
据他了解，该村有一块园地即将出售，一旦完成交易手续，将导致约7至8间住家受影响。
他指出，该村缺乏发展机会，实际上这几年来，许多年轻人因为工作关系，迁离浮罗勿洞或是离乡背井到外地工作，使到该村人口相对减少，留下来的大多数是从事捕鱼业或种植业。
“因村内有捕鱼业，吸引外人到本村购买新鲜鱼虾，使到渔业还有一线生机。至于种植业，华裔以种植榴梿居多，接下来是香蕉以及小部分橡胶、蔬菜及油棕种植，巫裔则有种香料、香蕉和芒果。”
为了留住村内人口，他盼望政府能在该村建廉价屋。
也是浮罗勿洞华小家教协会主席的他说，一些学生家长选择名校的心态也造成小部分学生流失。
邹俊扬：华小仅56学生
浮罗勿洞华小董事长邹俊扬表示，该村大约有7个小园主，有意要卖地约3至4人，这主要是因为大多数小园主年纪已大或是他们的后代并不重视这份工作，加上地价诱人，所以打算随时卖地供发展，结束这一辈的劳作。
他指出，该村缺乏廉价屋，若要从事捕鱼业的村民迁往邻村如文丁，将使他们的生计成问题。
他说，目前浮罗勿洞华小只有56个学生，若居住在私人地的居民也陆续搬走，学生人数来源肯定受影响。因此他吁请州政府多关注这问题，在该村建设廉价屋，并优先分配给村民，以确保学生来源不受影响。
他继说，村民在外购屋的情况于去年开始明显化。据他所知，迄今已有5户家庭获得分配位于浮罗文丁的廉价屋。
阿都哈林吁居民申请廉价屋
槟州议长拿督阿都哈林受询时直言不讳，目前很多浮罗小园主的第2代或第3代因考虑到地皮有价，而纷纷将园丘脱手。为此他鼓励没有房子或是居住在私人园地的居民尽速向政府申请廉价屋或中廉价屋，以免在新园主下令搬迁时，才来愁房屋问题。
他表示，浮罗山背大约有6项兴建中或已批准的新廉价屋及中廉价屋计划，分布在每个州选区，计有文丁、甘榜特浪（浮罗勿洞选区），新路头港口、柏玛当巴锡（直落巴巷选区）及属于峇六拜选区的公巴及峇六拜。
“据估计，上述房屋计划一旦全面竣工，将提供大约1000间廉价屋及中廉价屋单位，廉价屋售价4万2000令吉，中廉价屋7万2000令吉。”
他指出，凡有意申请廉价屋或中廉价屋者可前往县署、其服务中心、向民联协调员及光大房屋部进行登记，而在2008年前申请者需要在本月31日前向有关当局更新个人资料，这样才有资格获得献议房屋。
对于较有经济能力的居民，他说，他们可以考虑购买高档房屋，毕竟在浮罗一带也有很多高档房屋计划。- 光华

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Bankers and lawyers should know better

BUYING a property that eventually becomes abandoned is a painful experience for many house buyers. It not only hurts purchasers who have lost their hard-earned money but also affects the property industry's reputation which has taken a beating due to unethical activities of a few culprits.

This is particularly so when the abandoned project is not caused by factors such as economic downturn or withdrawal of purchasers, but solely due to irresponsible people who claim to be “developers” but do not hold a licence to do so.

It was recently reported that our Housing and Local Government Ministry has identified 195 abandoned developments that were unlicensed in our country. I am puzzled as to how these “developers” are able to start their projects when they do not even have their licence to apply for financing if they require a bridging loan, and is their sales and purchase (S&P) agreement properly attested by a lawyer before they start selling?

In this context, what can be done and who should play a part in reducing these unlawful developers? Assessing our existing housing development process would provide us with some ideas.

When a developer plans for a housing project, he must first get the necessary approvals and licences from the relevant authorities such as the development order, building plan, advertising permit and developer's licence. The developer then may need to source for a bridging loan from a financial institution and this is followed by getting lawyers to prepare the legal documents which include the S&P agreement.

When the project is launched to the market, the developer will require the purchasers to sign the S&P agreements in order to finalise the purchase. Should the purchaser acquire a housing loan from a bank, the bank will come into the picture to process the loan application submitted by the purchaser. Those are the basic procedures involved in developing and marketing a housing project in Malaysia.

For unlicensed development, the regulatory bodies are not in the picture. In such cases, it becomes apparent that the lawyers and/or bankers, both representing the house purchaser, have a role to play as the first line of defence to protect the interest of the purchaser.

Hence, there are questions that begged to be answered. How is it possible for financial institutions to approve the end financing loan for a property development in the absence of all or part of the required approvals and licences? The same questions are posted to lawyers who prepare the legal documents for unlicensed development.

I believe everyone has a role in identifying irresponsible players in the industry, especially the bankers and lawyers with their better access to information and strong regulatory network as compared to the general public. As a purchaser and a customer, you would have expected your banker and lawyer to carry out their due diligence duties to ensure that your interest is not compromised.

In other industries, professional practitioners who do not convey the right message and do not protect customers' interests can be given stern punishment as their action may be deemed as negligence, fraud or even criminal breach of trust.

According to the record of National House Buyers Association, in the case of Keng Soon Finance Bhd (1996), a financial institution had granted a loan to an unlicensed developer, and it was decided that the loan and the security offered were invalid. The bank could not institute the foreclosure proceedings on the land and therefore could not recover its loan.

Under our Housing Development Act, a property developer that engages in, carries out or undertakes housing development without having been duly licensed can be fined between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. This is an avenue to take action against unlicensed developers. While we have the law in place, it is equally important to ensure strong enforcement comes along.

For house buyers, you are strongly advised to purchase property from reputable developers and to do thorough “shopping” and analysis before signing on the dotted lines. Responsible developers are keen to work hand-in-hand with purchasers and appreciate the role of the National House Buyers Association which advocates the protection of house buyers in Malaysia. We should stand together as a team to fight against irresponsible developers.

And for anyone of you who think that you have bought into one of those unlicensed developments mentioned earlier in the article, it is time to write and call your banker or lawyer for clarification.

Datuk Alan Tong is the group chairman of Bukit Kiara Properties, he was the FIABCI World president in 2005-2006 and was named Property Man of The Year 2010 by FIABCI Malaysia. - The Star