Penang's Indian Muslim housing discount sparks lawyer's ire

Human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan has sharply criticised the Penang state government's decision to offer an exclusive five percent housing and commercial property discount to Indian Muslims under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign (MOC), branding the move as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
'This initiative is deeply divisive, discriminatory, and unacceptable. It blatantly favours one particular race and religious group at the expense of others and runs contrary to the...

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The Star

3 days ago

• The Star

5% housing discount for all a fair move, say groups

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government's decision to give a 5% housing discount on overhang properties to all house buyers is well received by political parties and associations. Penang MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah, in welcoming the move, said any policy introduced must be grounded in the principle of supporting vulnerable groups, rather than being based on racial or religious distinctions. 'It is vital that the state government exercises prudence and ensures fairness across the board,' he said. He said the state must address the issue of oversupply in the mid-range housing segment with urgency. 'A downward price adjustment may be necessary to better align with the actual needs of the people,' said Yeoh in a statement. 'The 5% housing discount should be strictly reserved for vulnerable and genuinely qualified individuals, as they truly need the assistance,' he added. Yeoh said it must not be misused or allocated indiscriminately to parties who may exploit the opportunity for speculation, thereby inflating property prices further. 'We welcome the state government's willingness to recognise its shortcomings and take corrective action,' he said. Yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council decided to extend the discount to all buyers for a year under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign. He said the discount is limited to developers who registered with the state in the campaign and those registered with the state Housing Board. The Penang government cour­ted controversy earlier when it announced on June 5 that the 5% discount would only be given to Indian Muslims. Penang MIC chief Datuk J. Dhinagaran said the state has made the right move to offer the discount to all rather than one particular community. 'Everyone should benefit from the programme as there are many who haven't bought their first property, and this will be an opportunity for them to purchase one. 'Any policy created should be beneficial to all, which is the most logical thing to do for a fair and equitable society,' added Dhinagaran. Penang Hindu Association president P. Murugiah said every group or community should benefit from housing programmes, and the state government's decision to give a 5% discount to all was most welcome. 'People from B40 and M40 groups should benefit from this programme as many individuals face a lot of hurdles when purchasing their first property. 'This discount will help them save money, which could be used for other purposes such as fees for sales and purchase agreements,' he said.

The Star

4 days ago

• The Star

Penang extends 5% discount on overhang properties to all buyers

GEORGE TOWN: The 5% housing discount for first-time house buyers, which was earlier given to Indian Muslims, has been extended to all, says Chow Kon Yeow. The Chief Minister said the state exco met on Wednesday (June 18) and decided to extend the discount to all buyers for a year under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign. "It is limited to developers who take part in the campaign and those registered with the state Housing Board," said Chow at a press conference at Komtar o on Wednesday (June 18). "The focus will be on the 2,796 unsold units with information on the identified properties will be given by the National Property Information Centre. The state courted controversy earlier when it announced on June 5 that the 5% discount would be given to Indian Muslims under the campaign, inviting criticism from political parties such as MCA and MIC. The parties said the policy should not be based on race and religion but rather on economic status and the 5% discount should be given to all.

New Straits Times

4 days ago

• New Straits Times

Penang extends housing discount to all buyers after criticism

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has agreed to extend the five per cent housing discount to all buyers of completed but unsold properties, classified as overhang units. This came after the state was criticised for only offering the housing discount to the Indian Muslim community. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council (Exco) meeting today unanimously agreed to expand the five per cent discount provision to all buyers for the purchase of overhang properties. "The discount is valid for a period of one year under the MADANI Ownership Campaign (MOC) and limited to participating developers registered with the Penang State Housing Board (LPNPP). "It will focus on identified unsold units, with relevant information to be obtained from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC)," he told newsmen at a press conference here today. Chow said there are currently 2,729 overhang properties in the state for all categories of housing. The figure was as of the first quarter of this year. According to NAPIC, the overhang properties valued at RM2.04 billion. About half of the overhang properties' value comprised properties above RM1 million. Prior to this, Chow had instructed state Housing Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the housing discount policy for Indian Muslims, with the aim of expanding it to all buyers. He said this was to ensure the housing discount policy was more inclusive and benefitted all segments of society, in line with principles of social justice.