THE Penang government is looking forward to the upgrade of Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he is confident that it could be done by June this year.
“Three years ago, we appealed for the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to be given a city council status and we succeeded; hence, we have a mayor on the island.
“I mentioned to MPSP that Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow managed to upgrade MPPP when he was the state executive council (exco) member for local government then; and that I will do the same for Seberang Perai.
“The state exco approved the application and it was sent to the Housing and Local Government Ministry in Putrajaya on Dec 31 last year,” he said.
Jagdeep said he brought the matter up during his meeting with Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin at the National Council for Local Government meeting on Feb 15.
“I was told that the matter is settled and we are now waiting for the papers to be tabled in the Cabinet.
“Look at how efficient the new Federal Government of the day.
“Our application was settled in less than two months, as compared to when Barisan Nasional was the Federal Government.
“Hopefully, we will be able to witness the birth of MBSP by middle of this year,” he said, drawing cheers from the guests at the Datok Keramat – Jelutong Chinese New Year open house at Taman Free School on Feb 16.
He also spoke on the state’s Rent-to-Own scheme.
“The public is finding it hard to own homes due to the high rejection rate of housing loans by banks.
“I told the minister that we have to look at other mechanisms to allow people to get access to housing, and the state’s Rent-to-Own scheme is the right way forward.
“The tenant pays rent for a period of time before he becomes the owner of the property.
“More people will be able to own homes via this mechanism. We have done this in Penang.
“The minister agreed that this scheme is the way forward. I proposed to the ministry to implement the Rent-to-Own scheme on People’s Housing Project (PPR) units in Malaysia.
“The minister agreed. Currently, tenants of PPR units can only rent and not own the units.
“The state will implement the scheme not only on old PPR projects, but also the new ones so more people can own homes,” he said.
Jagdeep said, as the housing exco member representing the state government, he made it his priority to house people, especially Penangites.
Chow thanked the people for their support towards the state and Federal Government.
“The Pakatan Harapan Federal Government still needs time to reform the institutions.
“I believe that with the people’s support, we can make Penang stand tall and work towards Penang2030.
“Penang has changed for the better over the years since 2008 after we were given the mandate by the people.
“The state and Federal Government need your continuous support to move forward,” he said.
Jelutong MP R.S.N Rayer commended Jagdeep and other state representatives for their services to the community.
“We will continue to deliver to ensure Penang is a better place to live in,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alissala Thian