Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo today urged the media to report facts when housing matters are concerned saying "...we have succeeded where BN failed in terms of providing homes for the lower-income group".
Jagdeep said the Penang state government has built over 75,631 units of low-cost, low-medium cost and affordable housing all in various stages of construction.
"This includes 25,555 units of low-cost, low medium-cost and affordable housing being delivered, 19,828 units being built and 29,978 units of such affordable housing approved to be built.
"This is opposed as to the miserable performance of the BN government during the period of 1999 to 2007 whereby only 5,154 units of low and low medium-cost housing were delivered," he said in a statement.
Jagdeep was referring to a report in the New Straits Times today entitled "51 promises unfulfilled by Penang government" which quoted Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow as saying that the present state government had broken 51 promises since it came to power in 2008.
Among others, Teng blamed the Penang government for failing to develop an underground train system, building 20,000 affordable homes in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, reintroducing tram services and providing a monorail system connecting the island to the mainland.
Teng told Penangites to consider these broken promises by the Pakatan Harapan government and give BN a chance in the upcoming 14th national polls.
Jagdeep expressed disappointment with Teng's statement, saying it did reflect the actual position of the various issues he highlighted and he (Jagdeep) would respond with actual facts firstly in relation to affordable housing.
Jagdeep said contrary to the New Straits Times report, it was "unacceptable" that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had stated 2013 that some 9,999 units of affordable housing would be built in the constituency of Air Itam and Air Putih but which to date has not materialised.
PR1MA failure
During the 2013 national polls campaign, Najib made the announcement at the Rifle Range Flats during a lavish dinner attended by thousands.
BN leaders and controversial Penang-born businessperson Jho Low were also present.
"Further, this is made worse by the indisputable fact that the federal government has failed to physically complete even one PR1MA affordable house under their affordable housing scheme in Penang," Jagdeep claimed.
He then announced an affordable housing project by the state government in Batu Kawan, the first phase of its affordable housing programme, which comprises 520 units of low medium-cost units.
He said the certificate of completion and compliance (CCC) was obtained on February 22 and strata titles for the units would be issued soon.
"This must be done with the federal government's assistance as it is under their jurisdiction.
"We will also continue with the development of the remaining phases of this development in the interest of Penangites," Jagdeep added.
He urged the New Straits Times to correct the report on the issue of Penang housing saying it was "very misleading" now that he has provided the actual facts.
