Kedah government housing 'plan' absurd, says Chor

ALOR SETAR (July 6): The Kedah government "plan" to enforce a new housing policy has been described as absurd and will be of no benefit to the state.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said if implemented, the new housing policy would not help but harm the Kedah economy.

"The Kedah government said that housing projects in Sungai Petani and Kulim are only meant for Kedah people. If the policy is implemented, people in Butterworth and Seberang Perai can't buy houses in Kedah.

"This will not help Kedah's economy," he told reporters after launching construction work of the abandoned Taman Sri Derga Fasa III housing project here on Friday.

The minister said it would not be a problem if the policy was implemented in Selangor as the state is developed and wealthy.

Another absurd policy implemented by the Kedah government was to increase the quota for affordable homes from 30% to 60%.

Chor said when Barisan Nasional ruled Kedah, it implemented a similar housing policy but the quota was only 30%.

"If the Kedah government increases the affordable home quota to 60%, developers will increase the price as they can't make much profit compared to high cost homes."

Kedah has 11 abandoned housing projects with five already completed, five still under construction while one project has not started. — Bernama