Penang seeks to expand 5% home discount to all buyers

The Star

09-06-2025

GEORGE TOWN: The 5% housing discount for first-time homebuyers involving the Indian Muslim community will be reviewed, says Chow Kon Yeow.
The Penang Chief Minister said he has instructed state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the policy with developers to expand the discount to all buyers.
He said the move will make it more inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society in line with the principle of social justice.
'Some of the views received suggested that such a discount should also be offered to all buyers to revitalise the property sector, especially in relation to the sale of unsold new property units,' he said in a statement yesterday.
The state executive council, Chow said, would study the matter and make an appropriate decision in the interest of all parties.
On Thursday, Sundarajoo told reporters that from June 1 until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer Indian Muslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign.
On Saturday, he issued a formal statement on the matter but about an hour later, Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim announced that Chow agreed to suspend the discount offer pending the review.
The initial policy announced by the state government was criticised by MCA, which described it as racially divisive.
State MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah questioned why the Penang government could not base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion, expressing confusion that DAP, a party advocating for a 'Malaysian Malaysia', would introduce such a racially framed initiative.
'The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said.