THE Local Government Development Ministry has announced an allocation of RM200 million to supply 1,000 units of the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Penang.
Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said it is the highest PPR allocation ever provided to Penang by the Federal Government.
The RM200 million allocation is part of a total of RM211.4 million allocated for 41 projects announced by Nga during his visit to Penang today.
“This shows our ministry’s commitment to the people of Penang to enable them to own a house.
“The state government also has identified suitable lands to kick start the PPR projects,” Nga said in his speech at the Sentuhan Kasih Sayang programme at City Hall today.
Also present were state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
Nga said one PPR project would be built on Penang island and another in Seberang Perai at RM100 million each.
“The state currently has 999 PPR units, and these additional 1,000 units are set to double up the number of PPR units for needy families.
“Each PPR unit, designed to condominium standards, will be sold at RM45,000. A rent-to-own scheme will be made available for those unable to obtain loans from banks,” Nga added.
Nga said Putrajaya has always been committed to looking into the plight of the needy.
He assured that each state in the country would not be sidelined as the Federal Government was committed to caring for the people.
Jagdeep thanked Nga and his ministry for the much-needed assistance.
“As we know, out of the 114,652 PPR units announced by the Federal Government in the previous administration, only 999 units were supplied to four PPR locations in Penang.
“It is unfair to us as the supply of PPR units was crucial, especially for the low-income group.
“After all, this is the best alternative before low-income earners can afford to own their home.
“I am glad about the announcement today. That will give Penang a total of about 2,000 PPR units. This shows that the current Federal Government cares for our state,” he said.
Jagdeep added that the state government, through the Penang Housing Board (PHB), has set a target of 220,000 affordable homes by 2030.
“I am proud to announce that we currently have reached 68.8% of our target or 155,055 units already built, being built, or being planned to be built.
“That is quite an achievement for us, and that achievement I was made to understand, is the highest in the country.
“We remain committed to achieving our target to have 220,000 affordable homes by 2030,” he said.
Before the launch of the Sentuhan Kasih Programme at City Hall, Nga and Jagdeep visited the Kota Giam project site in Jelutong where it has been identified for the PPR project. The other PPR project site is identified in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai.
According to Jagdeep, the Kota Giam PPR project will consist of 575 units, including 279 studio units with 500sq ft and the remaining 296 units with three bedrooms spanning 700sq ft.
The Penang Housing Board will oversee the project, which is expected to be completed in five years, starting next year till 2028.
Additionally, Nga also said his ministry has approved an allocation of RM9.62 million for 29 projects under the Housing Maintenance Programme (PPP) and Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP) under the state government this year.
Out of this amount, RM2.86 million is for PPP, while the remaining RM6.76 million is for TPM80PP.
Apart from that, the Local Government Development Ministry also set aside RM1 million to upgrade the astaka at Taman Tun Sardon and RM785,000 to build 45 MyKiosks.
Story by Edmund Lee and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis