Application approved
The Star-North 21/1/2005

THE Penang Government has approved an application by the developer of Bandar Cassia project in Batu Kawan to build an additional 338 units of five-storey low-cost flats.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the developer, Equine Capital Berhad, had submitted the layout plan to the Seberang Prai Municipal Council for approval.

He said this was the first project in the state where five-storey low-cost flats would be equipped with lift facilities.

He also said the completion of the project would help the state meet the demand for low-cost units.

“The State Housing Department will screen all applications to ensure that only eligible applicants are approved,” said Dr Koh, adding that construction of the low-cost units would be completed in 18 months.

Abdul Rahman signing a plaque to mark the opening of the Equine home gallery.With him are Majimor and Dr Koh.

Dr Koh was speaking at the Chinese New Year open house hosted by the developer at its site office, Equine home gallery, in Batu Kawan.

Also present were Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff and Equine executive chairman Datuk Patrick Lim Soo Kit.

Dr Koh said the state had received 1,930 applications for the 330 low-cost units and 2,950 applications for 259 low-medium cost units that were being constructed in the Bandar Cassia township.

On the proposed second link project between the mainland and island, Dr Koh said the government had not scraped it but would reschedule it with an innovative financial package.

He refused to elaborate on the matter.

The Federal Government had announcement last year that the proposed second link project connecting Batu Kawan on the mainland to Batu Maung on the island had been scraped due to high cost as it was expected to cost more than RM2.8 billion.