Kayveas: Ministry not cutting quota

The Star 21/4/2002

IPOH: Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk M. Kayveas clarified yesterday that he had only suggested the 30% quota for bumiputras to buy houses be reduced and did not say that the ministry might reduce the quota.

Saying that he had been misquoted in news reports, Kayveas explained that he only made the suggestion following complaints from developers that the quota was not being filled.

“The developers can make their complaints to their state governments, who will then investigate the matter and come to a decision.

“It is not up to me or the ministry to decide,” he told reporters after launching a blood donation campaign at the Makro hypermarket here.

Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, when asked to comment on reports quoting Kayveas, had said that the ministry had no plans to reduce the quota for bumiputras.

On the proposal that councillors be employed full time and paid a salary, Kayveas said Section 10 of the Local Government Act 1976 stated that councillors could be paid fixed salaries or allowances under the discretion of the local authorities.

“The people (ratepayers) also do not have to bear the burden of councillors’ salaries. This is because with a larger population of 22 million today from the 10 million in 1976, local councils can afford to provide salaries,” he said.