Penang to expand 5% housing discount beyond Indian Muslim buyers
PETALING JAYA : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says the state government is looking to extend its recently announced 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims to all communities.
Chow said he had received feedback that the discount should be offered to all home buyers with the aim of revitalising the property sector, particularly in relation to unsold units.
'In response, I have directed state executive councillor for housing and environment S Sundarajoo to work with developers to refine the policy with a view of extending the discount to all buyers,' he said in a statement.
'This would make the initiative more inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society, in line with the principles of social justice.'
He said the state executive council will review the matter in detail and make a decision that 'serves the interests of all parties'.
The discount was announced on Thursday by Sundarajoo, who said private developers will be encouraged to voluntarily offer a 5% discount to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for one year as part of a state housing campaign.
The initiative was criticised by human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who called the campaign discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Sundarajoo defended the discount, saying it did not infringe on the rights of other communities and was purely aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market.
He also said developers would offer the discount as a form of corporate social responsibility and this would not involve the state government's funds.
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