PENANG’S affordable housing scheme received a significant boost today with the announcement of the nation’s largest housing development targeted at the B40 and M40 income groups.
The project, known as the Rumah Bakat Baru Madani Affordable Housing Scheme, is scheduled to commence in the state by the first quarter of next year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who witnessed the signing of the joint development agreement between the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), its subsidiary PDC Properties, and SkyWorld Development Berhad, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering 500,000 affordable homes by 2025.
“The state, through PDC and PDC Properties, takes the extra effort to introduce Rumah Bakat Baru Madani, to provide an equal chance for non-Penangites working in the state to own a home.
“This is a great opportunity for both Penangites and non-Penangites working in the state to own affordable homes. Each unit under the Rumah Bakat Baru Madani scheme will feature a built-up area of 900 sq feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms,” Chow said during the ceremony at St Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
“The project will also include other facilities such as a swimming pool, a gym, a multipurpose hall, and a playground. Each unit will be sold from RM225,000 to RM420,000.
“We have identified two plots of land in Seberang Perai, namely 34 acres of land in Seberang Jaya (Jalan Todak in front of Penang Bird Park), and another 161.5 acres of land near Batu Kawan (Design Village Outlet Mall) for the development.
“From these two locations, more than 35,000 affordable housing units will be built and they are targeted to be completed in 15 years,” Chow said during his speech at St Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Chow highlighted that the construction would employ the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method, making Penang the first state to adopt this approach under the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.
Following an open tender process, SkyWorld Development Berhad emerged as the successful bidder. Chow congratulated the company and expressed confidence in its ability to deliver the project on time and to standard.
“We hope SkyWorld Development Berhad can fulfil the responsibility and smoothly deliver the project,” he said.
“Penang has already constructed 170,000 affordable homes, with plans to complete an additional 50,000 units by 2030.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also present at the event, shared his personal connection to the initiative.
“Seberang Jaya holds a special place in my heart, as I spent my childhood there. I am thrilled to witness this project come to fruition,” Anwar said.
“Seberang Jaya is close to my heart, as it was where I spent my childhood. Hence, I am fascinated to witness the construction of this project,” he said.
He emphasised the urgency of addressing the rising demand for affordable housing and expressed hope that the necessary project approvals would be granted by February next year.
“I believe that the Penang government is capable of achieving this due to its strong track record and the state is committed to the people’s housing needs. If a groundbreaking ceremony in Kuala Lumpur could be held within 45 days of signing a joint development agreement, I believe Penang can achieve the same.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming echoed Anwar’s sentiments and pledged to expedite the approval process. He also noted Anwar’s intention to attend the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.
The notable attendees at the event were PDC general manager Datuk Aziz Bakar, SkyWorld Development Berhad founder Datuk Seri Ng Thien Phing, and Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar