Penang CM agrees to review Indian Muslim housing discount, Sim says
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will review the state government's offer of a five percent housing and commercial property discount to Indian Muslims under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign (MOC).
In a statement today, Penang DAP chief Steven Sim said he discussed the issue with Chow, who agreed to discuss the matter in the state executive council meeting.
He explained that the initiative was to...
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Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang govt to review 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims, says Sim
Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim said he had spoken to the chief minister after the proposed discount drew criticism. PETALING JAYA : A 5% housing discount offered for Indian Muslims in Penang will be reviewed by the state government, says Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim. He said he had raised the matter with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow recently, after the proposed discount drew criticism. Sim, who is also human resources minister, said Chow had agreed to bring the matter back to the state executive council to be discussed and reviewed. 'I take note of the public feedback on the matter. As a party that upholds the Federal Constitution, DAP always fights for justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. 'It is important that the Penang government continues to uphold the principle of social justice and ensures that every Malaysian's right to homeownership is protected,' he said in a statement. The discount was announced on Thursday, by executive councillor for housing, S Sundarajoo. He 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. However, Sundarajoo defended the discount, saying it does 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 would not involve the state government's funds.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Penang to review housing discount for Indian Muslims at next exco meeting
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has agreed to review and discuss the five per cent housing discount for first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers at the upcoming state executive council (exco) meeting. State DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. "I acknowledge the public feedback regarding the five per cent discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold property units (overhang) in Penang. "I have discussed this matter with YAB Chow (Kon Yeow), and he has agreed to bring this issue up for review and discussion at the upcoming exco meeting," he said in a statement. As a party founded on the Federal Constitution, Sim said DAP had always championed justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. "It is important for the Penang state government to continue upholding the principle of social justice and to ensure the rights of every Malaysian to own a home are protected," he added. does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies. He said the initiative was part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities.
BusinessToday
9 hours ago
- BusinessToday
Penang Rolls Out MADANI Property Policy With Incentives To Spur Market Growth
The Penang state government has launched the MADANI Property Policy, a bold initiative aimed at revitalising the property market while promoting inclusivity and affordability. The policy, introduced under the MADANI Home Ownership Campaign (MOC), combines targeted buyer incentives, developer-friendly reforms and new affordable housing tiers to stimulate growth in the state's real estate sector. Announcing the policy, State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S Sundarajoo said the campaign will run from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, and is expected to drive higher homeownership rates while encouraging the approval of strategic developments. A key feature of the initiative is a 5% discount for Indian Muslim buyers purchasing residential or commercial units during the campaign period, a move aimed at increasing participation from underrepresented communities. The policy also introduces a new affordable housing category, Rumah MutiaraKu Type D (RMKu D), capped at RM400,000 and targeted at households earning up to RM15,000 per month. RMKu D units cannot be resold on the open market or used to meet mandatory affordable housing quotas, underscoring the state's intention to maintain affordability for genuine buyers. Developers, meanwhile, will benefit from reduced contribution rates if they opt not to build RMKu Type A or B units: From RM120,000 to RM100,000 in Penang Island City Council areas From RM120,000 to RM72,500 in Seberang Perai City Council areas Meanwhile, Sundarajoo also announced that developers who fall short of affordable housing unit quotas may now receive waivers on related sale or purchase charges. 'They may also be exempt from social impact assessment reports under specific conditions, streamlining the approval process and cutting compliance costs,' he said. Sundarajoo noted that the reforms are designed to create a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive property ecosystem in Penang. 'This policy reflects our commitment to both homebuyers and industry stakeholders. We will continue to engage with the public and private sectors to refine and update these guidelines,' he said. The MOC follows a string of state-led initiatives, including the Penang Home Ownership Campaign (HOC) and the State Property Sector Stimulus Policy, with the HOC 3.0 PLUS ended in December 2024. Related
