Story by Amanda Khong
IT was a day of celebration for the residents of Sungai Nibong Kecil and Sungai Nibong Tengah as the first batch of successful applicants for the Bayu Nyaman flats had their balloting ceremony on Nov 21 in Sungai Nibong Kecil.
“Thank you for trusting me, the state government and developers for these projects. I am pleased to announce that in the year 2016, there will be no assessment for all low-cost and low-medium cost houses,” said Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon.
Also present was state Exco member for Town and Country Planning and Housing, Jagdeep Singh, founder of Hunza Properties Berhad, Datuk Seri Khor Teng Tong, managing director of Hunza Properties Berhad, Khor Siang Gin, Hunza Properties Berhad Board member, Datuk Syed Mohd Aidid Syed Murtaza and executive director of Hunza Realty Sdn Bhd, Gee Su Lyn.
Hunza has provided four alternative compensation packages for the people of the village.
The first alternative was cash compensation to those who are already no longer in the category of the needy and poor.
Second, compensation of a low cost flat at Bertam.
Third, for the people who prefer landed dwellings, compensation in the form of a unit of cluster house at Bertam was given.
The last alternative was compensation of a Bayu Nyaman low cost flat at Bayan Lepas.
So far, more than 730 units out of the total 823 units at Kampung Sungai Nibong Kecil and Sungai Nibong Tengah have signed up with Hunza for their compensation packages.
There are still a minority group that has yet to come forward to accept the offers of settlement. Hunza may take legal action against those who refuse to come forward to discuss the offers of settlement.
Gee said during her speech that Hunza will be giving free maintenance for one year for Bayu Nyaman to thank everyone for trusting them.
“I will make sure that every family in Penang owns their own home. I will suggest that the word low is removed from low-cost and low-medium cost housing and turned into People’s Public Housing. I can assure everyone that a lot is being done by the government to help ensure that everyone can afford to buy their own houses, said Jagdeep during his speech.var d=document;var s=d.createElement(‘script’);