Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the entire State Exco must RESIGN or be REMOVED - it was a great disappointment to Malaysians, and an unacceptable wrong committed by the DAP Chief Minister in a DAP-Pakatan Harapan dominated State government to suggest or make a Ethnic/Religion DISCRIMINATORY policy. Malaysian government should be treated every citizen as equal persons with equal rights > only special treatment should be for the poor and marginalized persons..., in my opinion.
WHY was this wrong?
The provision of a RELIGIOUS based discriminatory policy - the 5% discount for just Malaysian Indian Muslims... when all Malaysians are entitled to be treated equally as citizens.
It may also be seen to be akin to a 'Divide and Rule' attempt? Promoting division amongst the Malaysian Indian community - when only those of one religion was given an advantage - not the other Indians of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, etc...not even Muslims of all other non-Bumiputra groups.
It also affected the UNITY of all Malaysians - when a certain group of a certain religion and/or ethnicity was accorded preferential treatment, not other Malaysians. Further, there was also no basis in law, as the law ONLY provide preferential treatment to Malays(only those that qualify not NEW Malays) and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Now, even that 'preferential treatment' based on ethnicity has been questioned by PM Anwar Ibrahim who seem to say it is unjust for the rich, the T20 and upper M40 persons to continue to receive such preferential treatment when they are RICH enough to no more receive subsidies, Haj subsidies, scholarship, etc..
Further, DISCOUNT on house prices is NOT one of the stated preferential treatment, is it? Preferential treatment should be as stated - not added on by governments(be it Federal, State or Local Government). Now, it is the Local Government that approves Building Contracts/Development within their jurisdiction that seems to imposing such discriminatory conditions on housing/building developers - worse, the governments do not cover the price of these DISCOUNTS, meaning that 'discount' may ultimately be on the shoulders of other house buyers - who may have to pay higher prices for the home as no DEVELOPER will willingly do things that affect their profits.
YES, the Chief Minister may have amended that discriminatory decision - but it does not EXCUSE him for the wrong he committed.
Worse, it is DAP, who many believed was fighting for EQUALITY...
If Malaysians, or Penangites, choose to ignore this WRONG - it will not DETER States or even the Federal Government to in the future have similar DISCRIMINATORY policies...
Preferential treatment for the POOR and MARGINALIZED may be accepted - but not any Discrimination based purely on the ethnicity or religion of the citizen. Should the Federal Constitution be amended - towards advocating PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT for the POOR?? Our Prime Minister seems to advocating this - why should a Billionaire or Millionaire Malay or native still be benefiting by getting government scholarships for their children, and places in higher education institutions?
Another point - it was not for the POOR only, but for Malaysian Indian Muslims earning RM15,000 and below - noting that the Malaysian Federal Minimum Wage is RM1,700. So the beneficiaries include the Middle class and the RICH? So, it cannot be said that it was a discrimination to help the POOR???
Further, HOUSE OWNERSHIP POLICIES generally benefit only the Banks(that give loans) and the Developers - not the new owners/purchasers for they will still be burden by housing loans for decades - and will only be the true owner after the loan is paid in full. How much monthly loan payment can a Penangite earning only RM1,700 a month be able to pay? When the purchaser defaults on the loan, it reverts to the Bank and maybe even land the 'owner' with additional debt - end result even Houses meant for the POOR do not become permanent homes of the poor - they are permanent occupiers of 'their homes' - until it is taken away. WORSE, the obligation to pay monthly loans extend beyond retirement age - and most Malaysians do not even have enough to survive old age - no PENSION for other than public officers?
Penang could have imposed a HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE for workers working in Penang - but it did not? There is nothing stopping States or even Local Government from setting a HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE for their State, or a particular local government jurisdiction - and they have the power and capacity in 'enforcing' it - maybe through non-issuance(or non renewal) of business licences to operate within the State(or Local Government Area) if they do not pay the State or Local Government set Minimum Wage...
Hence, these 'Housing Policies' are most times not even to HELP the POOR - but simply to entrap them in debts, and when they cannot settle their monthly debt obligation, the lose their homes... YES, Housing Policies just help Developers, Banks, Lawyers(involved in the various agreements), etc - but not really the POOR or the lower MIDDLE CLASS in Malaysia..
5% off for Indian Muslims in Penang under home ownership drive
Penang state housing and environment committee chairman S Sundarajoo says the discount is available until May 31 next year.
State housing and environment committee chairman S Sundarajoo said the discount would be available throughout the campaign period, from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, to boost the sale of such properties.
“In addition, the Penang state housing board has introduced a special category, Rumah MutiaraKu Type D (RMKu Type D), with a ceiling price of RM400,000, targeted at households earning up to RM15,000 a month.
“This category is not allowed to be sold on the open market and cannot be used to fulfil affordable housing compliance requirements,” he said during a press conference at Komtar today.
Sundarajoo also announced a reduction in contribution rates for developers who do not physically build RMKu Type A or B units – from RM120,000 to RM100,000 in areas under the Penang Island City Council, and from RM120,000 to RM72,500 under the Seberang Perai City Council.
To ensure cash flow and timely delivery of RMKu units, Sundarajoo said the previous 20% open market release limit has been increased to 50%. However, a release fee of 10% of the selling price will be imposed.
He added that upgrade packages for open market units will be capped at 50% of the base price, and such packages will not be allowed for PN1 units, to maintain transparency in compliance with the RMKu policy.
Other incentives under the policy include waivers on the sale or purchase charges of RMKu Type A and Type B quotas for developers who do not meet the price-controlled unit requirements, as well as exemptions from conducting a social impact assessment report.
Sundarajoo said the policy, which was approved during the state planning committee meeting on Wednesday, is expected to have a positive impact by boosting home-ownership rates, encouraging approval of strategic new projects and fostering a more inclusive, sustainable and competitive property development ecosystem.
“We are confident the implementation of the MOC policy will help raise home ownership levels among Penangites. The state government will continue to review, refine and gather feedback from industry players and the public to improve and update these guidelines,” he said.
Previous initiatives introduced by the state include the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC) and the Penang State Property Sector Stimulus Policy 2020, which was extended four times, most recently as HOC 3.0 PLUS, which ended on Dec 31 last year. - FMT, 5/6/2025
Penang defends 5pc housing discount for Indian Muslims, says Bumiputera quota untouched
GEORGE TOWN, June 7 — 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, said state executive councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.
Sundarajoo, who is in charge of housing and environment, said the initiative is 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 discount is being offered as a form of corporate social responsibility by developers and does not involve any financial support or subsidy from the state government.
“The state government would like to emphasise that all existing housing policies, including the Bumiputera quota and various incentives for first-time homebuyers, remain intact and will continue to be enforced,” he said in a statement today in response to criticism from several quarters regarding the discount.
Last Thursday, Sundarajoo announced a five per cent discount incentive for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of residential and commercial units under the MADANI Home Ownership Campaign (MOC), which is effective from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
Other initiatives include the introduction of a special housing category, Rumah MutiaraKu Type D (RMKu D), with a maximum price of RM400,000, and a reduction in contribution rates for developers who do not physically build RMKu Type A or B units — from RM120,000 to RM100,000 in areas under the Penang Island City Council, and from RM120,000 to RM72,500 under the Seberang Perai City Council.
Sundarajoo said the five per cent discount is an additional measure complementing various existing programmes already in place to meet housing needs in the state.
He explained that it is an intervention to help reinvigorate the property sector following discussions and consensus among housing industry stakeholders, taking into account the growing concern over the oversupply of non-affordable units in Penang.
“According to the Q4 2024 Penang State Property Market Report issued by the National Property Information Centre, 2,796 residential units were identified as overhang, involving various types of properties across the state,” he said.
In addition to improving housing accessibility, he said the initiative also aims to revitalise the property sector affected by rising construction and labour costs, in line with the state government’s aspiration to achieve more balanced, sustainable and inclusive development in Penang. — Bernama, Malay Mail
Summary
Chow wants the housing and environment exco to broaden scope of a recently announced property discount initiative.
Penang CM says issue will be brought before state executive council for further deliberation before a final decision is made.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has instructed the housing and environment exco to broaden the scope of a recently announced property discount initiative, following public calls for a more inclusive approach.
Acknowledging the state government had received various feedback on the announcement, Chow said the policy should be refined to ensure it benefits all segments of society, in line with the principles of social justice.
“I have instructed the housing and environment exco to engage with property developers and review the policy with a view to extending the discount to all homebuyers,” Chow said in a statement today.
He added that the matter would be brought before the state executive council for further deliberation, with a final decision to be made in the interest of all stakeholders.
On June 5, Penang state executive councillor for housing and environment S Sundarajoo announced that the state would grant a special five percent discount to Indian Muslims for residential and commercial properties under the MOC.
This initiative, introduced under the Madani Inclusive Property Sector Catalyst Policy, will run from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, with the stated goal of boosting property sales.
However, the move sparked a wave of feedback, including from Penang DAP, suggesting that such incentives should be extended to all prospective buyers in order to stimulate the sluggish property market more effectively. - Malaysiakini, 8/6/2025
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