CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow came away impressed with the standard operating procedure (SOP) adopted by the management of I-Santorini, an affordable housing project under the state’s Affordable Housing Scheme (PMM) initiative, after his visit to the site in Tanjung Pinang today.
In recent times, Chow has been visiting multinationals, small and medium industries, small and medium enterprises, factories, markets, construction sites and hotels to see for himself the safety measures they are undertaking in the fight against Covid-19.
Chow, who was joined by Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai during the visit, was first ushered to a room and shown a slide presentation by the management’s staff member Koay Eng Phoe.
“We were given an opportunity to visit a housing project to see the management’s protocol, such as social distancing, sanitisation, and how they record the particulars of the visitors, dwellers and contract workers.
“This is important because it is a public place and a new place with people moving in and out. Taking down the record of visitors is very important. Even though this place has no recording system via apps, I see that the management has taken the necessary steps to take care of the safety of the residents here.
“Penang has over 1,300 stratified projects where each management has the responsibility to ensure the protocol is prepared and that there are staff members to see that the rules are followed.
“If each person can take care of himself, which should be the way, then we can stop the spread of Covid-19.
“So, we hope Penang will remain a green zone. The state government relies on the community and individuals to play their respective roles so that there won’t be Covid-19 cases in the state.
“I urge all housing project management to ensure they take the essential measures.”
Chow and Wong were later shown the show units and facility floors by Ideal United Bintang International Berhad (IUBIB) executive chairman Tan Sri Alex Ooi and his wife, Puan Sri Joanne Phor, who is also the company’s executive director.
Others present were Ideal Property Group chief operating officer Datuk Goh Teng Whoo, general manager Connie Ang and senior project manager Lu Peng Khim.
Ooi said the property management tried its best to ensure that the residents follow the state’s guidelines.
“All facilities have to be closed down for the time being to avoid close contact. If they are open up, too many people may come in and then there will be problems.
“So, we encourage the residents to stay home. Let’s protect each other. Our management board keeps on improving its protocol, cleaning up the place and sanitising the common areas to serve the residents,” Ooi said.
The I-Santorini, which is a stone’s throw from Tesco Seri Tanjung Pinang, Straits Quay Marina Mall and Island Plaza, is the second of IUBIB’s affordable home projects after One Foresta in Bayan Lepas.
Completed last year, the project features three artistic towers in blue hues that house 2,155 units with 68 units of shop-lots on the ground and first floor.
All residential units are practically designed at 850sq ft in the configuration of three bedrooms and two bathrooms layout.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alvie Cheng