Latest news with #MalaysianMalaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Penang seeks to expand 5% home discount to all buyers
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.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
House discount cancelled
GEORGE TOWN: Two days after announcing a 5% discount for Indian Muslim homebuyers in Penang, the offer was rescinded in a state government U-turn. The proposal is now back on the drawing board after Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim raised the issue with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Although the discount was intended to boost demand for unsold new properties in Penang, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the move as racially divisive. By offering the privilege only to Indian Muslims, Yeoh questioned whether it amounted to a new form of racial quota. 'The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said. Yeoh 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. 'Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background?' he added. Penang Hindu Association president Datuk P. Murugiah said that if there is an overhang of properties in the state, offering a discount to only one ethnic group is unfair. 'The discount should be for all Penangites regardless of race, especially the B40 and M40 groups, with priority given to B40 families,' he said. Murugiah said the privilege should, rightly, even be extended to anyone born in Penang. Sim, in a statement yesterday announcing that Chow had agreed to suspend the discount offer pending a review by the state executive council, emphasised the importance of upholding social justice and ensuring every Malaysian's right to own a home. 'I take note of the public feedback regarding the 5% discount given to the Indian Muslim community only for the purchase of unsold (overhanging) new property units in Penang,' he said. Sim said he had discussed the matter with Chow, who agreed to bring it up for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. About an hour earlier, state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo had again announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer Indian Muslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount. He first made the announcement on June 5. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during yesterday's meeting of the state executive council and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday, following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. He added that the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' corporate social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. The provision of the discount relies on the corporate social responsibility of the developers and does not include any financial support or subsidies from the state government. Sundarajoo said that, based on the Penang Property Market Report for the fourth quarter of 2024 by the National Property Information Centre, 2,796 residential units have been identified as overhung, involving various property types across the state. He described the number of unsold new affordable housing units in Penang as worrying, adding that the discount was an intervention by the state to help revitalise the housing sector.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Penang govt to study decision on 5% discount for first-time homebuyers among Indian Muslims, says Sim
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will review its decision to offer a 5% discount to first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community for one year before implementing it, says Steven Sim. The Penang DAP chairman said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, adding that the latter agreed the matter to be brought up for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. "I take note of the public feedback regarding the 5% discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold (overhang) property units in Penang," he said in a statement. Sim said it is important for the state government to continue upholding the principles of social justice and to ensure that the right of every Malaysian to own a home is protected. Earlier, state housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the state government has approved measures to revitalise the property sector. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during the state executive council meeting on Saturday (June 7) and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 3), following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. He, however, said the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. Meanwhile, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the state government over the measure, questioning if it introduces a new form of racial quota. He questioned why the Penang government couldn't base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion and said that DAP is promoting a "Malaysian Malaysia" while introducing racial policies that divide society.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Penang new discount to boost housing sector gets called out
GEORGE TOWN: In response to concerns over the oversupply of non-affordable housing units, the Penang state government has approved measures to revitalise the property sector. State housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during the state executive council meeting on Saturday (May 7) and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 3), following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. "According to the Penang Property Market Report for the fourth quarter of 2024 by the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), 2,796 residential units are identified as overhang, involving various property types across the state," he said on Saturday (June 7). The state government encourages private developers to offer a 5% discount to first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community for one year. The discount excludes Bumiputera quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. "This initiative aims to expand homeownership opportunities in the open market for groups with historically low participation rates without compromising the rights of other communities," he said. Sundarajoo added that all existing housing policies, including the Bumiputera quota and various incentives for first-time buyers, remain intact. The initiative is an addition to existing programmes designed to meet the state's housing needs. The measure also aims to stimulate the property sector, which has been affected by rising construction material and labour costs, in line with the state government's aspiration for balanced, sustainable, and inclusive development in Penang. Meanwhile, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the state government over the measure, questioning if it introduces a new form of racial quota. "Sundarajoo announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, Indian Muslims will be eligible for a 5% discount on residential or commercial properties. "The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing races," he said. He questioned why the Penang government couldn't base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion and said that DAP is promoting a "Malaysian Malaysia" while introducing racial policies that divide society. "Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background," he said.
Malaysiakini
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
With DAP like MCA 2.0, pact with Umno works, for now
YOURSAY | 'It will work until non-Malays say enough is enough.' PAS-DAP-Umno: 'Can't Live With or Without You' saga continues Milshah: Whether it is PAS-DAP or Umno-DAP combo, I think it's about how to get the most votes. It's a bit confusing, but both have advantages and disadvantages. For Umno-DAP, it's the complete opposite. Umno is pro-3R (race, religion, and royalty), while DAP is Malaysian Malaysia. It's very strange how they were able to form the pact. Somehow, the two political parties were able to form a pact, with Umno continuing to champion 3R issues. We can see Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, whom the non-Malays love to hate, championing the Malay cause. However, for this pact to work, DAP had to change from streetfighter to MCA 2.0. And that's how the Umno-DAP combo was able to survive till this day. It would not have worked if DAP continued using the streetfighter style of yesteryears. To put salt into the wound, we see Umno leaders saying that under Umno, DAP has been tamed. This, of course, upset many non-Malays. Many non-Malays have said they will not vote for Pakatan Harapan in the 16th general election (GE16). However, the Umno-DAP combo has a strong advantage, which is PAS. True, Umno has Akmal. True, DAP is MCA 2.0. But with PAS lurking in the shadows, non-Malays are forced to vote for Harapan for fear of PAS. All in all, I would say this Umno-DAP is working. For how long? Until the day non-Malays say enough is enough, we are not going to vote for Harapan, even if PAS becomes the government. I don't think that day is coming, as every time I post about PAS becoming the government, should non-Malays stop voting for Harapan, nobody dares to challenge it. So, yes Umno-DAP combo is working, for now. IndigoHamster4797: Umno people like to talk about PAS and DAP. In reality, the only parties that can confidently rely on winning 40-50 seats in GE16 are DAP and PAS. They have hardcore supporters who back both parties' unwavering core values. You may disagree with them or even not like them, but you know what they stand for over the many years. One party sits on the extreme left while the other one sits on the extreme right of the political spectrum in Malaysia. Voters face challenges when deciding on Umno, PKR, Bersatu, MIC, MCA, Gerakan, and Amanah. They crowd the middle with very little differentiation other than 'we are not xxxxx' (e.g. we Amanah are not PAS, we Bersatu are not Umno, we PKR are not Umno). None have a real plan and unique selling proposition to voters on what voters will see if we put them in power. I think the middle parties should get all their current leaders who are more than 65 years old to retire to allow for introspection and refresh. Save Our Currency: PAS will never be able to form the government. Perhaps, they can, but the earliest would be by two more GEs. Today, they are being rejected by the Chinese, Indians, Sarawakians, Sabahans, and most importantly, the educated Malays. Ask yourself (PAS), with this situation, how are you going to form the government? Day by day, you are hurting these people with your remarks, which are disgusting and repeated so incessantly that even your own community is sick of hearing them. Coward: Any Umno president thinking about his own future, not that of the party, mind you, will not join PAS, for fear of losing their power. This is one of the important reasons why it will be very difficult for PAS to form the federal government, even with Bersatu's help. Money politics is so ingrained in non-PAS Malay politics that Bersatu is likely to disintegrate if it cannot be offset by the government come next GE. That's scary for both Bersatu and PAS leaders, for there is no guarantee that Bersatu votes will flow to PAS, or that enough will flow to Umno for them to join hands. Bottom line: It's ok to collaborate with DAP, but equally, it is also okay to criticise the other party for collaborating with DAP. As far as both sides of the divide are concerned, it's a win-win situation. Anyone who cares to analyse this situation will have to come to at least one of the two conclusions: DAP is fine, they are just vilified for political mileage, or Malay politicians are an 'unscrupulous' lot who will sleep with the devil. Don't need to incite. Just maintain or increase their seat share, and sooner or later, it will be the kingmaker. Then they will let their weight be felt. Anwar is nothing without DAP. From a Malay political perspective, they are split between three, not two parties. As their seat distribution becomes even, then DAP just might be the kingmaker. Cheong Sai Fah: DAP is always used as a punching bag or bogeyman. Where do Umno and PAS find in DAP's constitution that it is against Islam, Malays, and the monarchy? The world has changed to a multi-polar world. Malaysia needs to remain a multi-polar society. A uniracial or religious society does not result in or guarantee a progressive and prosperous future. Share, live, and let live. Malaysia has enough room for every citizen. Let's focus on building a prosperous country. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
