KEPALA BATAS: The government has announced three major projects in Bertam here which set to benefit thousands within the northern region in years to come.
Among them will be 700 units under the People's Housing Project (PPR) worth RM170mil on an 8ha plot of land belonging to Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) in Pongsu Seribu.
Housed in seven rows of four-storey blocks, the project includes facilities and seven units for the disabled.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who announced the project said the initiative under Keluarga Malaysia aims to fulfil the needs of low-income families to own affordable homes.
"The cost to build each unit is RM161,000 but will be sold at RM45,000 each.
"It means each unit is subsidised and the total to be borne by the government would be RM81.2mil," he said during the groundbreaking ceremony here on Wednesday (Nov 2).
The two other projects are the construction of the Bandar Putra Bertam mosque and Kepala Batas Youth Centre (KBYC).
"The mosque costing RM7mil would occupy 2ha of land and accommodate up to 1,500 people.
"Through a cost-sharing method, the Federal Government would bear RM4mil while RM2mil is allocated from the state and RM1mil by donors through the mosque.
"As for the youth centre costing RM45mil, it would occupy 10ha of land and include an administration office, dormitories, soccer fields, e-sport hall, gymnasium, music room, skatepark, cafeteria and jogging track.
"It would serve as a world-class sports facility and a one-stop centre for youth activities in the northern region," he said.
Ismail Sabri, who is Umno vice-president, said despite Penang being an Opposition state, the government never neglected its needs for housing and praised Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican who will be defending his Kepala Batas parliamentary seat this 15th General Election.
"As we have never neglected the state and continued to provide, it would be good to continue voting for my party.
"Reezal has been hardworking and excelled as the MP and minister with so many projects organised and policies introduced for the benefit of the people.
"Since he (Reezal) has performed and excelled, we should retain him," said Ismail Sabri, adding that Reezal would be appointed minister again if he remains as prime minister.
Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman and Penang Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir.
The ceremony which saw over 1,000 people present also saw five motorcycles among other prizes given out to the people in a lucky draw session.
