THE federal government has agreed to build PPR (People’s Housing Project) at Kota Giam, Jelutong and this was announced by exco for Local Government, Housing and Town & Country Planning Jagdeep Singh today.
“I am very happy to announce today that the federal government has agreed to build PPR at Kota Giam following a site visit by the federal housing team on June 29.
“I would like to thank the Minister of Housing and Local government Zuraida Kamaruddin who after my meeting with her on June 4 immediately sent her officers to the proposed site to verify its suitability.
“Apart from the ongoing project at this site (Kota Giam), the Minister of Housing & Local Government has written to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow requesting for more land to be identified so that more PPR can be built here in Penang,” Jagdeep excitedly announced during the site visit at the proposed land together with representative from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
According to Jagdeep, as of now, land amounting to an estimated 100 acres had been identified in the five districts of Penang for the purpose of building PPR.
“We have identified land amounting to 100 acres (including Kota Giam PPR) in all the five districts of Penang for PPR. We want to ensure that there is at least one PPR in each district of Penang.
“Let’s say if we put it as 150 units per acre, we will be getting some 15,000 units of PPR in all the five districts in Penang.
“Some 1,500 people are in the waiting list for PPR housing. So, if we can achieve this then we can help to house Penangites from the low income group.
“If we can get some 15,000 PPR units then perhaps half of these can be offered to the people using the rent and own method as there is high demand for rent and own scheme.
“This will help to tackle the issues of PPR waiting list as well as low and low medium cost list (those who could not get a loan to purchase house),” added Jagdeep.
Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, who was also present during the site visit, conveyed her appreciation to the federal government for the upcoming PPR project at Kota Giam.
“We can see the difference between the current federal government and the previous one with regards to co-operation as well as being aligned in achieving our goals.
“I am happy that PPR is about to be built here in Sungai Pinang constituency as there is a high demand,” said Lim.
Jagdeep also stated that the Kota Giam PPR will be first one in the northeast district.
“This is the first PPR in the northeast district and 900 of out 1,500 people in the PPR waiting list are from this district.
“So, this project means a lot to me as we can assist many people through it,” said Jagdeep.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan