Penang to prioritise PR1MA housing projects

GEORGE TOWN: The PR1MA's housing project at three-sites in Gelugor, Batu Ferringhi and Permatang Pauh on the mainland will be given top priority, said state Housing Department Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
He said the project which was mooted by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government will be fast-tracked.
"Although it's a federal project, we will still keep track on it," he said.
Jagdeep said he paid a courtesy call to Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin a few days ago, saying it was a good discussion.
"Almost 50% of my demands for the benefit of Penangites were met.
"It was a fruitful meeting with Zuraida on housing issues," he said during a press conference today.
He said issues which need to be addressed, include the high loan rejection rate for first time affordable home buyers and social ills caused by foreigners renting low-cost public housing.
Jagdeep said he also made a suggestion that PR1MA and TP1M should be rebranded to Perumahan Harapan Malaysia and Tabung Penyelenggaraan Harapan Malaysia respectively.
Earlier, Jagdeep had a dialogue session with residents of a flat in Bandar Baru Air Itam on lifts and several maintenance issues.
Also present were Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin and Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abd Rashid.