KUALA LUMPUR (June 7): Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will review a plan by the state government to offer a 5% discount for first-time house purchases by Indian Muslims in the state, offered under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign, said Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong.
In a statement, Sim said he had discussed the issue with Chow, who in turn agreed to bring up the matter in the state executive council meeting. The proposal drew flak and received much criticism being termed discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The proposal for the 5% discount for Indian Muslims property buyers was announced on Thursday, by Penang's executive councillor for housing, Datuk Seri S Sundarajoo, who said that developers would be encouraged to offer a 5% discount on a voluntary basis to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for a one-year time frame.
Sim, who doubles up as the human resources minister, said, “I take note of the public feedback on the matter. It is important that the Penang government continues to uphold the principle of social justice and ensures that every Malaysian’s right to homeownership is protected.
“As a party that upholds the Federal Constitution, DAP always fights for justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion,” he said.
Sundarajoo had attempted to defend the plan for the 5% discount offered to Indian Muslims, suggesting that the rights of other communities would not be violated, and that the plan was for developers to offer such discounts as a corporate social responsibility.
“This discount is offered by developers as a form of social responsibility and does not involve any financial support or subsidy from the state government,” Sundrarajoo said.
The move to offer the 5% discount to Indian Muslims, Sundarajoo said, was in response to the large number of houses which remain unsold in Penang. According to the National Property Information Centre, Penang had some 2,796 overhang housing units as of the fourth quarter of 2024.
Plans for the 5% discount for Indian Muslim house buyers was approved by the state executive council on May 7 this year, and by the state planning committee on Tuesday.