PENANG: The state government has engaged turnkey contractors to revive and complete 12 abandoned low and low medium-cost housing projects in various phases of development.

The 12 projects are Taman Sri Semarak, Taman Cemerlang, Taman Terubong Indah (Majestic Heights) and Fettes Villa in the northeast district; Taman Sri Bayu in southwest district; Pangsapuri Widuri, Taman Sejahtera, PAKR Kuala Muda Phase 2 and PAKR Ekor Kucing Phase 2 in north Seberang Prai; and Taman Pekatra, Taman Widuri and PAKR Sungai Dua in south Seberang Prai.

State Housing, Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah told reporters yesterday that the government was helping those in need since it could not possibly help everyone.

Abdul Rashid also clarified that the state did not have 41 abandoned housing projects as reported in the press recently.

“The 41 projects were those which had existed since the 1980s and since then, 28 of them have actually been completed, with the 29th awaiting Certificate of Fitness,” he added.

He said that Penang Municipal Council had listed 23 abandoned projects which included commercial lots while Seberang Prai Municipal Council had listed 30.

“Some of these so-called abandoned projects may just be slightly delayed due to cash flow problems, so it is also not right to say that all them have been abandoned,” he said.

Also present were Permatang Berangan assemblyman Ab. Ro’ni A. Hasan and Seberang Jaya assemblyman Radin Hadi Munir