Penang Gerakan accuses state govt of practising double standards

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Gerakan has accused the DAP-led state government of practising double standards with regards to its housing policy, with claims that tenants of condominiums were now penalised while developers were allowed exemptions on their purchase of state land.
In her maiden press conference, Gerakan Wanita committee member Peggy Koo Pei Chee said that the state seemed to be embracing double standards shamelessly without realising that the people are observing.
Citing two examples, Koo, who is touted to head the Gerakan Wanita wing in the future, said that a condominium owner in Jelutong had their unit sealed because they were alleged to have defaulted in paying their annual assessment fee.
Also several tenants at the public housing scheme in Padang Tembak were barred from entering their apartments because they too had defaulted on their monthly house rental to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
"They may have defaulted for reasons best known to them but the issue is why are the state not responding to questions on whether a developer had paid up the land premium agreed upon for the purchase of a prime land near Bayan Mutiara here," she questioned.
"What about the project in Batu Kawan?.
"Has the master developer there paid up for the reclaimed land purchase," she asked.
She said that the two developers should also be reprimanded and have action taken against them if they are not holding up their end of the deal.
"We must be fair. Do not just hassle the poor and the unrepresented. The state government needs to ensure that the developers meet their obligations and to not take advantage of the friendly pro-development policy of the state."
Koo said that the state needs to clarify the issue before the New Year, as it is something which was on the minds of most people.
She urged the state to also clear the perception that the state government is willing to compromise just to accommodate the developers.
State Housing Committee chairperson Jagdeep Singh Deo could not be reached for a comment on this claim.