Latest news with #PenangHousingBoard
The Star
24-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Former pride of Penang crumbling
Home to many: A view of the Rifle Range corridors in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star Rifle Range residents call for renewal of oldest public housing GEORGE TOWN: Leaking pipes, falling objects, cracked walls and broken floor tiles. These are just some of the long list of grievances faced by thousand of residents in Rifle Range, the country's oldest existing low-cost high-rise public housing project. Designed by a German firm and built in 1969, it was the pride of Penangites as the tallest building in the state back then. But almost 55 years on, the housing area is falling apart, with ageing infrastructure, traffic snarls and dirty surroundings. The 3,888 units are also cramped, with an average size of just 340 sq ft each. 'The building is too old. Parking is also a daily struggle. Thousands of residents are in a dilemma,' said Cheang Wai Long, a hawker. The 55-year-old, who has lived there for over 50 years, said her unit is among those that need urgent repairs, with persistent leaks, cracked walls and damaged floor tiles. She and her extended family, who also live in the flats, are willing to relocate if the state government decides to build new high-rise flats with better facilities under the Urban Renewal Act. Single mother Fauziah Ahmed, 49, who has lived there for over 20 years, said Rifle Range Flats offers good connectivity and reliable public transport. Hope for more: Fauziah at the Rifle Range flats in George Town. 'It's easy to get food as there are many shops around.' Housewife N. Parameswari, 37, who lives there with her ailing father, husband and four children, said she was grateful to the state government for allowing her family to rent a unit after their home was destroyed in a fire six years ago. 'With a monthly rent of RM110, we are all right here,' she added. She said she hopes to see more playgrounds for children besides better parking facilities. 'Infrastructure maintenance, including water piping, lift servicing and garbage management, is badly needed,' she added. Kuih seller Salmah Ibrahim, 62, said that if the government redeveloped the flats, a larger food court should be a priority. There are nine blocks of 17-storey buildings on the 16.7ha area, with every floor comprising 20 units of single bedrooms and four two-bedroom units. Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid agreed that it is time to improve things at the flats, along with Flat Uda in Tanjong Tokong. 'We must ensure that families have a clean, safe and dignified place to call home,' she added. Based on her discussions with the Penang Housing Board, Syerleena said it would be a long-term effort requiring careful planning and input from various stakeholders. The grounds where the flats are built was once a shooting range used by the British army and local police during the colonial days, hence the name. It is also known as Pak Cheng Poh in Hokkien or Padang Tembak in Malay. The Federal Reserve Unit barracks are also next to the flats.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Beware of dodgy housing schemes
Too good to be true: An online advertisement promoting the affordable housing scheme, which was found to be illegally using the Penang coat of arms and Housing Board logo. — K.T. GOH/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Several social media pages have been found illegally using the state coat of arms and the Penang Housing Board (LPNPP) logo to promote their affordable housing schemes. The advertisements offer attractive home ownership packages, including monthly payments as low as RM1,400 for condominiums and cashback incentives ranging from RM100,000 to RM200,000. Some advertisements even claim to offer zero down payment for properties in prime areas such as Pulau Tikus, Tanjung Tokong and Butterworth. A bank officer, who only wanted to be known as Rahman, said he found the advertisement appealing due to the affordable offers. 'I clicked the link and was redirected to a WhatsApp number. 'A so-called agent then asked for my personal details before proceeding further,' he said. Sensing something suspicious, Rahman feared it could be a scam and promptly deleted the WhatsApp conversation without sharing any more information. 'The use of official symbols and collection of personal data raise concerns about attempts to falsely suggest it is a project endorsed by the state government,' he said. A team from The Star also clicked on the phone number and was redirected to a WhatsApp conversation managed by AI bots. The bots respond to basic queries, guiding users through a series of multiple-choice questions to assess their housing preferences. Once enough information was gathered, a human agent will take over the conversation for further engagement. He would tailor property recommendations based on initial enquiries and provide guidance on financing options, including potential government loan schemes. While some of the properties mentioned appear to be real, the prices often vary significantly from what was advertised. Agents claim they can liaise with potential buyers and help secure housing loans, adding an air of legitimacy to the conversation. When contacted, Penang housing committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the state government has no connection with the advertisements on social media. 'We have lodged reports with the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as the contact number owner listed in the advertisement has denied any responsibility,' he said. He further urged the public to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any housing-related promotions or offers before making the next move.
Free Malaysia Today
22-04-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang to redevelop 3 squatter settlements into modern housing areas
S Sundarajoo said the redevelopment project is part of Penang's mission to eliminate squatter settlements and improve living conditions for residents. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN : Penang is planning to redevelop three squatter settlements in Seberang Perai into modern residential areas this year. State housing and environment committee chairman S Sundarajoo said the redevelopment would provide the residents with larger and more comfortable homes, free of charge. 'The villages involved are Kampung Manis, which has nearly 300 homes; Kampung Main Road in Perai, with 128 homes; and Kampung Ujung Batu in Bagan Dalam, with 357 homes. All of the residents have agreed to the proposed redevelopment project. 'Most of the homes were built illegally decades ago. For example, Kampung Manis has existed for over 70 years,' Sundarajoo told reporters after the Penang Housing Board's 2024 Excellence in Service appreciation ceremony and Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering last night. He added that the initiative was part of Penang's broader mission for zero squatter settlements while ensuring improved living conditions for residents. Sundarajoo said the state government had issued a request for proposal for the redevelopment although the total cost had yet to be finalised. According to the plan, the projects will begin with the construction of relocation homes for the residents, followed by the development of mixed housing including Mutiara affordable homes and shoplots. 'We hope to break ground on at least two of the three projects this year. Kampung Manis, covering 36.7 acres, and Kampung Ujung Batu, covering 15 acres, will be prioritised and rebranded under the Rumah Mutiara Madani initiative,' he said. Sundarajoo also reported that as of April 20, the state had delivered 166,607 housing units, representing 75.73% of its target to supply 220,000 units of affordable homes by 2030. For the rent-to-own programme, he said 5,096 units or 23.16% of the 22,000-unit target had been achieved. In addition, the Penang Housing Board has identified 6,814 units under six urban renewal pilot projects, surpassing the initial goal of benefiting 3,000 families.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang to redevelop three squatter settlements
GEORGE TOWN: Penang is planning to redevelop three squatter settlements in Seberang Perai into modern residential areas this year. State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the redevelopment will provide the existing residents there with larger and more comfortable homes, free of charge. 'The villages involved are Kampung Manis, which has nearly 300 homes; Kampung Main Road in Perai, with 128 homes; and Kampung Ujung Batu in Bagan Dalam, with 357 homes. All the residents have agreed to the proposed redevelopment project. 'Most of the homes were built illegally decades ago. For example, Kampung Manis has existed for over 70 years,' he told reporters after the Penang Housing Board's 2024 Excellence in Service appreciation ceremony and Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering last night. He added that the initiative is part of Penang's broader mission to achieve zero squatter settlements while ensuring improved living conditions for residents. Sundarajoo said the state government has issued a Request for Proposal for the redevelopment, however, the total cost has yet to be finalised. According to the plan, the projects will begin with the construction of relocation homes for existing residents, followed by the development of mixed housing that includes Mutiara Affordable Homes and shop lots. 'We hope to break ground on at least two of the three projects this year. Kampung Manis, covering 36.7 acres, and Kampung Ujung Batu, covering 15 acres, will be prioritised and rebranded under the Rumah Mutiara MADANI initiative,' he said. Meanwhile, Sundarajoo also reported that as of April 20, the state has delivered 166,607 housing units, representing 75.73 percent of its target to supply 220,000 units of affordable housing by 2030. For the Rent-to-Own programme, he said 5,096 units or 23.16 percent of the 22,000-unit target have been achieved. In addition, the Penang Housing Board has identified 6,814 units under six urban renewal pilot projects, surpassing the initial goal of benefiting 3,000 families.
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang To Redevelop Three Squatter Settlements
GEORGE TOWN, April 22 (Bernama) -- Penang is planning to redevelop three squatter settlements in Seberang Perai into modern residential areas this year. State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the redevelopment will provide the existing residents there with larger and more comfortable homes, free of charge. 'The villages involved are Kampung Manis, which has nearly 300 homes; Kampung Main Road in Perai, with 128 homes; and Kampung Ujung Batu in Bagan Dalam, with 357 homes. All the residents have agreed to the proposed redevelopment project. 'Most of the homes were built illegally decades ago. For example, Kampung Manis has existed for over 70 years,' he told reporters after the Penang Housing Board's 2024 Excellence in Service appreciation ceremony and Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering last night. He added that the initiative is part of Penang's broader mission to achieve zero squatter settlements while ensuring improved living conditions for residents. Sundarajoo said the state government has issued a Request for Proposal for the redevelopment, however, the total cost has yet to be finalised. According to the plan, the projects will begin with the construction of relocation homes for existing residents, followed by the development of mixed housing that includes Mutiara Affordable Homes and shop lots. 'We hope to break ground on at least two of the three projects this year. Kampung Manis, covering 36.7 acres, and Kampung Ujung Batu, covering 15 acres, will be prioritised and rebranded under the Rumah Mutiara MADANI initiative,' he said. Meanwhile, Sundarajoo also reported that as of April 20, the state has delivered 166,607 housing units, representing 75.73 percent of its target to supply 220,000 units of affordable housing by 2030.
