GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has instructed state housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the 5% housing discount for first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he has instructed Sundarajoo to review the policy with developers to expand the discount to all buyers, making 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 property units," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 8).
Chow stated that the state executive council will also examine the matter and make an appropriate decision in the interest of all parties.
On Thursday (June 5), Sundarajoo announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer IndianMuslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign.
He added that the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies.
However, Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim, in a statement on Saturday (June 7), announced that Chow had agreed to suspend the discount offer pending a review by the state executive council, emphasising the importance of upholding social justice and ensuring every Malaysian’s right to own a home.
The initial policy announced by the state government earlier had been critised by MCA who described the move 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.
He also said by offering the privilege only to Indian Muslims, Yeoh questioned whether it amounted to a new form of racial quota.
“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.
