State government's hands are tied in matters of private property transactions

BALIK PULAU: The hands of the Penang government are tied in matters related to transaction of private property.
State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh (pix) said these activities are part of the free and open market.
He said the state could not impose control due to them being private business but noted price controls were imposed on affordable housing schemes.
“We are, however, open to suggestions,” he said, adding that the legalities of any recommendations for policies must be considered as well.
Jagdeep was asked to respond to reports of foreign corporations buying up pre-war shophouses in George Town.
This has sparked concerns of people having to move out as rents are said to have subsequently increase tremendously.
Jagdeep, nonetheless, pointed out rents in George Town have been on the rise since the Rent Control Act 1966 was repealed in the 1990s.
He said this was the reason why there was a “migration” out of George Town then to the surrounding areas.
Jagdeep earlier attended the opening ceremony of the four-storey RM3.7 million Bayan Lepas Gurdwara near here.
He said the Sikh place of worship will serve the community in Balik Pulau, Bayan Lepas, Teluk Kumbar and Sungai Ara and also be a cultural and education centre.
He said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and himself will also be contributing RM10,000 each to the building fund.