GEORGE TOWN: An Opposition assemblyman has proposed that the state government consider introducing a structured, fair and practical mechanism, or special package, to allow leasehold homeowners to convert their properties to freehold status.
Izhar Shah Arif Shah (PN-Seberang Jaya) said the issue of leasehold residential properties nearing the end of their tenure has become a growing concern among residents, particularly in Seberang Jaya and across Penang, where many families have lived for decades.
“Most homeowners purchased their properties with a lifetime of savings, repaying housing loans over many years while raising families and building their lives in these communities. However, they continue to face uncertainty due to the remaining lease tenure,” he said in his debate speech at the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday (May 12).
Izhar urged the state government to review the matter from the perspective of public wellbeing, rather than focusing solely on land premium revenue and state income considerations.
He said his constituency was proposing a structured mechanism or special package to enable conversion from leasehold to freehold, in a manner that is fair, orderly and practical for both the government and affected homeowners.
He noted that similar approaches have been implemented elsewhere, citing Melaka, where homeowners in residential areas are allowed to apply for leasehold conversion, and the Federal Territories, where similar initiatives have also gained traction.
“This shows that with political will, solutions can be found,” he said.
Izhar acknowledged the state government’s need to strengthen revenue collection, including through land tax revisions, but said residents should also benefit from such increases.
“If the state is firm in increasing revenue through tax adjustments, then the people should also see returns in the form of long-term security and stability in housing ownership,” he said.
He suggested the state consider options such as special premium rates, phased implementation or targeted incentives for mature housing schemes, particularly those occupied by low- and middle-income groups.
Izhar warned that failing to address the issue early could result in long-term uncertainty for future generations of homeowners in Penang.
Separately, the first-term assemblyman expressed disappointment over the state’s failure to register and send a football team to the Sukma Games, describing it as a serious lapse in sports management.
He said the issue was not due to performance on the pitch or a lack of talent among players, but stemmed from what he described as a failure in administrative planning and coordination.
“This is not about losing a match. It is not because our players are not good enough. The problem is more fundamental. There was no properly registered list of players,” he said.
Izhar said the matter should not be placed solely on the shoulders of the state sports council or football associations, but also involved the responsibility of the state government and the state sports executive councillor.
“If something as basic as Sukma participation cannot be properly managed, then serious questions must be asked about the effectiveness of sports leadership in the state,” he said.
He questioned whether long-term planning for football development, including scouting, training and player pipeline development, had been carried out systematically.
Izhar called for a full report on the failure to be tabled in the state assembly, as well as the presentation of a comprehensive five- to 10-year football development plan for public scrutiny.
“Football is more than just a game. It is identity, pride and the aspiration of our youth,” he said.
He added that the inability of the state to participate in a key developmental tournament like SUKMA was a worrying sign for the future of football in the state, suggesting the development system was in a “critical condition”.
