THE Penang government is seeking RM86 million aid from the Federal Government for its housing maintenance fund for next year, says state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
He expressed hope that the Local Government and Housing Ministry would increase its allocation of RM32 million for Penang this year as Penangites contribute one of the highest tax revenues to the country.
“We must be assisted in terms of the state’s housing needs and public facilities,” Jagdeep told a press conference at Block 46, Desa Green Apartments in Jalan Van Praagh in Jelutong today.
He was there to announce the state government’s approval for the upgrading of four water tanks for the apartments under the Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (PTM80PP) scheme.
To date, he said the Penang government has spent RM262.76 million to assist public and private housing schemes in both the island and mainland.
Jagdeed added that he had requested Local Government and Housing Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in a zoom meeting earlier today to provide some allocation to the Commissioner of Building (COB) to carry out regular inspections at stratified homes.
The allocation would help to ensure the high-rise buildings’ compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, he also requested the ministry to build more affordable homes in the state.
“In Penang, we have 1,881 stratified schemes. It’s all the more important to help COB in the fight against Covid-19 as there are more residents living in a dense area.
“The COB had conducted 1,360 checks and recorded 99.53% compliance rate.
“Malaysia has recorded over 80,000 cases and I hope it won’t breach the 100,000 mark by year end.
“The numbers are very frightening. We’ve to be very careful for our family, our friends and our community,” he stressed.
To stem the tide, Jagdeep reiterated that discipline in abiding by the SOPs is the key and that there should be no comprise on public health and safety.
Jagdeep said there are now 15 clusters in Penang, with Sungai Keluang as the latest. So far, 1,320 screenings had been conducted from the area.
As of yesterday, a total of 38,695 screenings were done in all the 15 clusters.
While some 10,000 foreigners from all sectors have been tested in Penang, Jagdeep said he would announce in a day or two new measures to be taken which could include screenings for the Penang residents as well.
“We’ll looking at a bigger picture. We’ve about 135,000 foreign workers in the state. We do not disagree with Putrajaya’s decision to have all foreign workers in the country undergo mandatory screening but the problem is with capacity and how to do it,” he said.
Jagdeep said with Budget 2021 to be finalised in Parliament tomorrow, he urged MPs from both the Government and the Opposition to pay attention to fighting Covid-19.
On the local front, 1.22 million checks had been conducted at premises in both the island and Seberang Perai.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had conducted 505,000 checks and found 99.71% compliance rate while the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) had conducted 715,000 checks and found 99.36% compliance rate.
Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, who was also present at the press conference, thanked the state government for approving the application from Block 46 Desa Green residents to upgrade the four water tanks at a cost of RM196,700.
This means that under the PTM80PP scheme, the state government will bear 80% (RM157,360) while the residents will bear 20% (RM39,340) of the cost.
Also present at the press conference were Penang state Housing Division senior assistant secretary Nadzifah Abd. Rahim, Block 46 Desa Green Apartment Residents’ Association treasurer N. Vartharajoo, building supervisor Jaffri Othman and administrative officer Elena Kuay.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian