Latest news with #Sundarajoo
Focus Malaysia
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy wants Penang EXCO reprimanded for unilateral decision on Indian Muslim housing discount
I CANNOT stop wondering at how the Penang state government could permit an EXCO member to make unilateral announcements without the approval or endorsement of the state executive council (EXCO). I am bewildered that Penang state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo could announce a 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims under the Madani housing scheme without apparent consultation with his other EXCO colleagues. Sundarajoo justified the move on grounds of low participation among Indian Muslims in state housing. But can he furnish data to back this claim? What are the comparative participation rates of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Indian Muslims? He also stated that this discount would not affect allocations for the Malays – yet he seems to overlook the complex identity overlap where some Indian Muslims are classified as Malay/Bumiputera while others maintain their distinct ethnic identity. Has there been any study quantifying the percentage of Indian Muslims who qualify under the Bumiputera category versus those who identify separately? Jumping the gun? Without such data, it's hard to justify a policy decision that could result in dual benefits for a segment of the population, raising questions of fairness and equity. Had this proposal been tabled in an EXCO meeting, its flaws could have been debated and possibly avoided. But instead, Sundarajoo proceeded based on consultations with developers – not the state government – casting doubt on the integrity of Penang's housing policy framework. This was a poor decision made without transparency and without consideration for other equally deserving communities. The policy lacked sound rationale and undermined public confidence. In this regard, I commend Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for stepping in to reverse the decision and broadening the discount to all eligible Malaysians. I urge Chow to go a step further – reprimand Perai state assemblyman Sundarajoo for bypassing proper procedure and acting irresponsibly on a matter of public policy. – June 9, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang CM instructs review of 5% housing discount
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.
Malay Mail
08-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Penang to reassess Indian Muslim housing discount, considers extending offer to all buyers, says CM
GEORGE TOWN, June 8 — The Penang state executive council (MMK) will review the five per cent discount offer for first-time homebuyers from the Indian Muslim community in Penang and make an appropriate decision for the benefit of all parties. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he has directed State Housing and Environment Committee chairman, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, to refine the policy with developers to extend the discount to all buyers. He said this is to ensure the policy is more inclusive and benefits all segments of society, in line with the principles of social justice. 'The state government has received various feedback regarding the announcement of the intervention measure to provide a five per cent discount to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold (overhang) property units, as announced by the State Housing and Environment Committee chairman on June 5. 'Some of the feedback and views received suggest that the discount should also be offered to all buyers to stimulate the property sector, particularly the sale of unsold properties or units,' he said in a statement today. On Thursday, Sundarajoo announced a five per cent discount for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of residential and commercial units under the Madani Inclusive Property Sector Catalyst Policy (MOC). This is among several incentives in the policy, effective from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026, in addition to introducing a special category, Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) Type D, with a maximum ceiling price of RM400,000, and a reduction in contribution rates for developers who do not physically provide RMKu Type A or B units. The policy is an intervention measure to revitalise the property sector, following discussions and agreement with housing industry stakeholders, taking into account the increasingly concerning oversupply of non-affordable units in Penang. According to the Penang Property Market Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, issued by the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), a total of 2,796 residential units have been identified as unsold, involving various types of residential properties across the state. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
08-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang to expand 5% housing discount beyond Indian Muslim buyers
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council will make a decision that 'serves the interests of all parties'. PETALING JAYA : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says the state government is looking to extend its recently announced 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims to all communities. Chow said he had received feedback that the discount should be offered to all home buyers with the aim of revitalising the property sector, particularly in relation to unsold units. 'In response, I have directed state executive councillor for housing and environment S Sundarajoo to work with developers to refine the policy with a view of extending the discount to all buyers,' he said in a statement. 'This would make the initiative more inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society, in line with the principles of social justice.' He said the state executive council will review the matter in detail and make a decision that 'serves the interests of all parties'. The discount was announced on Thursday by Sundarajoo, who said private developers will be encouraged to voluntarily offer a 5% discount to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for one year as part of a state housing campaign. The initiative was criticised by human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who called the campaign discriminatory and unconstitutional. Sundarajoo defended the discount, saying it did not infringe on the rights of other communities and was purely aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market. He also said developers would offer the discount as a form of corporate social responsibility and this would not involve the state government's funds.
New Straits Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Chow instructs review of housing discount
GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has 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. Chow said Sundarajoo could do so in collaboration with developers to ensure the housing discount policy was more inclusive and benefits all segments of society, in line with principles of social justice. "The state government has received various feedback regarding the announcement of a five per cent discount initiative for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of completed unsold housing units (overhang properties), as announced by Sundarajoo on June 5. "Some of the feedback received and presented stated that such a discount should also be offered to all buyers to revitalise the property sector, particularly the sale of unsold housing units. "In line with this, I have instructed Sundarajoo to review the existing housing discount policy," he said in a statement. Chow said, additionally, the state executive council (exco) would deliberate on this matter and make an appropriate decision for the benefit of all parties involved. Yesterday, Sundarajoo said the offer of a five per cent discount for first-time homebuyers from the Indian Muslim community in Penang does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies. The initiative, he said, was part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities. This came after human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan criticised the move. This prompted Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong to discuss the matter with Chow, who then agreed to bring this issue up for review and discussion at the upcoming exco meeting. Sim said it was important for the Penang government to continue upholding the principle of social justice and to ensure the rights of every Malaysian to own a home were protected.
