A SECURE and fair roof over our heads is a basic necessity for everyone.
In light of this, a state representative has urged the Penang government to establish clearer and stricter guidelines for house rentals involving foreigners.
Kumaresan Arumugam (PH – Batu Uban) proposed three key measures when debating the Penang 2025 Budget at the Penang Legislative Assembly today.
He suggested introducing a House Rental Act, establishing comprehensive rental guidelines, and conducting regular audits and inspections of rented units.
“The House Rental Act can provide a framework for authorities to enforce crucial conditions, such as limiting the number of residents per unit, ensuring cleanliness, and maintaining building security,” Kumaresan explained.
He also encouraged the Penang government and local councils to study Singapore’s approach to rental regulations, saying: “We can look at how Singapore has systematically streamlined their rental guidelines to ensure better enforcement and accountability.”
On rental guidelines, Kumaresan stressed the importance of specifying payment procedures, required documents, and other critical terms.
“Joint Management Bodies (JMBs) of high-rise residential developments can play a pivotal role in enforcing these regulations to ensure they are adhered to effectively,” he added.
He also highlighted the need for regular audits and inspections of units rented to foreigners.
“This is a proactive measure to ensure the units are well-maintained and, most importantly, not occupied by illegal immigrants,” he said.
In a separate matter, Kumaresan expressed gratitude to the Penang government for its annual allocation of RM2 million to the state’s 28 Tamil schools for maintenance, upgrades, and development.
However, he urged the government to increase the allocation.
“Doubling the allocation to RM4 million would allow for significant improvements to both existing and new facilities, creating a more conducive learning environment for students,” he said.
Kumaresan also called for decisive action to promote public health by banning the sale and use of vaping products across Penang.
“Taking a bold step to ban vaping will greatly benefit public health and protect the well-being of our people,” he said.
By Kevin Vimal
Photos by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar