An affordable housing project in Teluk Kumbar, which was completed in 2020. — Filepic
A NEW era of collaboration between the Penang government and civil society is shaping up in development and environmental conservation.
State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu wants future developments in Penang to be in line with sustainable development concepts that are typically the focus of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“I am here to dispel the notion that developers are ‘bad people’ out to make money and that NGOs just love to complain.
Rainwater harvesting systems such as this unit at SJK (T) Sungai Ara are now a regular part of new residential housing projects. — Filepic
“I want to engage social and environmental activists as stakeholders.
“I hope to bring some of them into committees to complement the role of Penang Green Council, which will play an important part in the housing and environment portfolios.”
Having previously been an eco-friendly developer, Sundarajoo said he would give equal importance to both his portfolios.
He described his previous eco-friendly projects in Batu Kawan, where salty peat soil and swampy vegetation were removed and replaced with earth for housing projects that included an abundance of shrubs and large trees for landscaping.
General drone shot of the Jelutong landfill with Karpal Singh Drive in the background in Jelutong, Penang. ( May 31, 2023 )- CHAN BOON KAI/The Star.
For the new coastline near Gurney Drive, he said the promenade, park and many other public recreational features were specially designed for the people to enjoy a cleaner, greener environment.
“Not all development is bad. Developers globally have become more aware of the need to create a better eco-friendly system even if it is man-made.”
He said all of Penang’s affordable housing projects included requirements contained in the Green Building Index (GBI) and design principles that maximise natural lighting and air circulation.
“Due to climate change, it has become pressing to balance addressing housing needs and environmental sustainability at the same time.”
Two huge development projects coming up in Penang are the RM200mil 20ha Gurney Bay (left), touted as the largest seafront city park in the country. Meanwhile, the Jelutong landfill (right) will be rehabilitated before being redeveloped for a mixed project. — Filepic
GBI is a Malaysian standard that mirrors international benchmarks.
Developers are required to follow environmentally sustainable practices such as incorporating rainwater harvesting and solar panels into projects to earn incentives.
As for the supply of affordable housing, Sundarajoo said Penang government had a target of 220,000 units to be achieved by 2030 and to date, 152,263 units or 69.2% have been approved or built.
A participant of a rent-to-own scheme at Flat Desa Wawasan, Bukit Mertajam, showing his offer letter from the state government. — Filepic
“However, getting a home loan is one of the most crucial steps to owning property and our Rent-To-Own concept helps Penang residents afford homes of their own.
“It does not require a hefty down payment as there is a cap of 10% of the house value.
“The lease agreement between the state government and the buyer dictates certain lengths of time between 15 and 20 years.
“At the end of the contract, potential buyers can exercise the option to transfer the property to their names.”
Sundarajoo says creating a conducive environment for developers ensures sustainable and affordable housing is built.
Sundarajoo said that Penang also offered a special rental scheme.
“Currently, our rental units cater to families and today, the state has 2,528 units with monthly fees ranging from RM70 to RM124.”
Sundarajoo said that beyond affordable housing, his responsibility was to ensure the property development activities progressed smoothly in Penang.
“It is a win-win situation. Developers are the facilitators of growth and by creating a conducive environment for them, we can achieve our goals of building sustainable affordable housing.”
On the issue of low-cost housing, Sundarajoo said Penang had yet to revise the RM42,000 cap even though some states had increased it to RM60,000.
However, he expressed concern that low-cost housing could give rise to slum areas after families move out.
“If foreign workers move into the empty units, it may lead to numerous social issues.”
Sundarajoo said the state was looking into increasing the size of low-cost flats from 650sq ft to 700sq ft and enhancing amenities to make the homes conducive for families to grow beyond a single generation.
“We might need to increase the ceiling price of low-cost units to provide better facilities, or reduce the requirement for the developer to allocate 30% of a project for low-cost housing.
“All these will have to be looked into before a comprehensive solution is found,” he added.
