Perda told to use up housing allocation

21/08/2001 The Star By Sira Habibu

THE Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) has been ordered to "use up" the RM16mil allocated this year to build affordable houses and shoplots for the people.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday urged Perda chairman Hilmi Abdul Rashid not to "retain" the allocation as a total of RM150mil had been allocated under the Eighth Malaysia Plan to build more of such units.

"Work performance will be measured based on the expenditure. Every ringgit spent must be related to housing units and shops that will be built," he said before presenting keys to buyers of the phase two low-cost terrace units at Taman Seri Menderong, Kepala Batas.

The RM8.9mil project on a 4ha plot in Kubang Menderong, comprising 225 low-cost terrace units and eight shoplots, was completed in June this year.

"In Penang, the land cost is high. What is important is to arrange for the payment method so that the people are not burdened," he said, adding more houses and shops need to be built according to the needs of the society.

Deputy chief minister Datuk Dr Hilmi Yahaya said 10 housing projects would be implemented in Penang under the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

There was a great difference between the low-cost units built by Perda and those built by other companies, he added.

"Perda builds landed properties, and the units are comparatively larger. Other companies build three-room low-cost units but the rooms are small," he said.

Dr Hilmi also said the two local councils had been directed by the state government to focus on providing facilities for the people, apart from concentrating on landscaping works.

"We have also directed the two councils to make sure that community halls are built in every housing estate," he added.