AG's report 2015: Management of Penang’s bumiputera housing quota not up to par

GEORGE TOWN (May 18): The Penang government’s management of its bumiputera housing quota has been found to be below par by the Auditor-General's Report 2015, Series 1, Bernama reported today.    

Tabled at Parliament today, the report stated that the audit carried out from August to November last year found bumiputera property ownership to be below the 30% target. The Penang government had set a 30% bumiputera quota for each housing development project

"Buyer status of bumiputera units were not verified, bumiputera units were sold to non-bumiputeras before obtaining release from the authorities and the Penang Bumiputera Housing Trust funds were not utilised," stated the report.

The report also stated that the calculation on relief on contribution were inaccurate, while payments were not settled or delayed and certificates of fitness for occupation and completion and compliance certificates were issued without letters of support, according to the Bernama report.

The report therefore recommended that the state secretariat office take steps to improve its standard operating procedures, especially as far as internal controls, application process and ensuring accurate calculation on relief contribution are concerned.

The state secretariat office should establish rules and take action against developers who do not adhere to the sale conditions and quota release, stated the report.

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