ANOTHER affordable housing project has been launched in Penang today as the state continues its ambitious plan to construct 220,000 homes by 2030.
Called Mandarin Residensi, the 39-storey housing project is being undertaken by developer Focal Products Sdn Bhd on a 4.2-acre land in Jalan Teochew Satu, Air Itam, bordering the Paya Terubong and Air Itam constituencies.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who inaugurated the ground-breaking ceremony of the project today, said so far, a total of 150,955 units, or 68.6% of the targeted 220,000 affordable homes have been built, are being built or are in the planning phase.
He expressed his gratitude to Focal Products for their commitment to supporting and realising the state government’s housing agenda.
“As everyone knows, Paya Terubong and Air Itam are among the areas with a high population density of more than 100,000 inhabitants.
“Therefore, today’s ceremony is expected to be symbolic of the beginning and a catalyst for the participation of more developers to choose and build affordable homes in this area.
“Construction work will start this month as well and is expected to be completed in June 2026, involving a total of 646 units consisting of 153 RMM C1 units priced at RM150,000 and 493 C3 units priced at RM300,000.
“This achievement has been made possible through cross-subsidy.
“This is a very proud effort and the developer deserves praise,” Chow said in his speech before the ground-breaking ceremony took place.
He added that in order to meet the high demand for affordable homes in the state, the cooperation of all parties, including the private sector, is very necessary.
The State Planning Committee (SPC) in the state government, Chow said, is very serious about looking at the detailed aspects of development and the types of products that will be built and offered to the people.
He also said the state government and local councils would also look into expediting the application process and give incentives to developers of affordable housing projects as requested by Focal Products executive director Datuk Tean Kok Pin.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh, who was also present, reiterated that the state government would ensure adequate affordable housing for the people of Penang.
“We have a few more affordable housing projects in the pipeline, catering to different types of units. Some cannot even afford to buy low-cost units. And that is why we have also rent-to-own units.
“Since the introduction, 4,003 RTO units have been achieved in the one-and-a-half years,” Jagdeep said.
Tean said Mandarin Residensi is his company’s first affordable home project.
He expressed confidence that since the state has achieved 70% of its goal in building affordable homes, the remaining 30% target would be achieved by 2030.
Tean urged the state government and local councils to provide incentives to the developers and also shorten the application process.
Among those present were state executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin, who is the Paya Terubong assemblyman, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Focal Products director Eugene Ooi, ACME Holding Berhad director Lee Thean Yew and MBPP councillor Harvindar Singh.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat