ALL public housing schemes in Penang must be green buildings, says state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
While it is a requirement for property developers to develop green buildings for their new projects, Jagdeep said existing old buildings could be retrofitted to become green buildings.
“Penang is the third state in the country to have the highest number of buildings that have been ratified green.
“But I want us to be the first state to have the highest number and that is the reason why we’ve decided to open up to all other ratification tools.
“I believe it can happen. And I have instructed that all our government buildings to be given priority. That must happen first so that we can lead by example,” Jagdeep told a press conference at the Chowrasta Market today to check on the standard operating procedures as the country transitions to endemicity after fighting the Covid-19 for the past two years.
He added that there are currently 59 buildings in the state that have attained Green Building Index, comprising 23.56 million sq ft of total gross floor area.
“We have four green rating agencies recommended to us by the federal level. There are many rating tools that can apply and we’re always open to a better operator,” Jagdeep said.
Also present were Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and Penang Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) chairman Tan Hun Beng.
Tan thanked the state government for its inclusiveness and fairness in accepting other rating agencies for green buildings.
He said there are many other green rating agencies, like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the United States, Green Mark from Singapore, Green Star from Australia and many more from all over the world.
“We also have Green RE (or Green Real Estate) from Malaysia.
“The main objectives of our green rating tools are to actually measure the energy saving, water consumption, reduce the carbon footprints and of course to cut down the greenhouse effect (greenhouse gases).
“With more players, I believe it will create a positive competition amongst the rating agencies and eventually it will speed up the state’s initiatives to create a greener and healthier living environment.
“Eventually, the people of Penang will benefit from this initiative. We believe Green RE will do all its best in greening the buildings and to enrich the environment we are staying,” Tan said.
On another matter, Jagdeep urged the people not to let the guard down as the country, after two years of battling Covid-19, transitions to endemicity from today.
“Despite us entering the endemic stage, it does not mean we are free to take the fight against the virus lightly.
“Our top priority has been always and will always continue to be public health safety.
“Yesterday, Malaysia recorded 15,773 cases while Penang’s number of cases came down to 790. Still a big number but we can do better.
“We may have more freedom. The responsibilities lie with us to continue with the SOPs,” Jagdeep cautioned.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud