GEORGE TOWN (May 1, 2013): Residents in Air Itam,
Air Putih and Paya Terubong welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Abdul Razak's plan to build more affordable housing in the area.
Salesman Ooi Teik Khor, 37, praised Najib for his foresight in trying
to solve the housing issue in the state. He said this was in line with
Barisan Nasional's 'Janji Ditepati' theme and would give a boost to its
election campaign in Penang. Long-time resident Abdul Malik, 45, was
happy over the announcement. "I am overwhelmed with what is offered,"
Malik said.
On Tuesday, Najib had announced that 9,999 affordable housing units
would be built with sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd
(1MYDB), planning to buy land in the three areas for the purpose.
In addition, families living in 962 one-bedroom houses in Kampung
Melayu would be given three-bedroom units as part of the Air Itam
redevelopment plan.
The Federal Reserve Unit headquarters in Padang Tembak would also be
relocated and so free up land to build 4,800 low-medium cost units.
Resident Lee Swee Cheng urged the authorities to consider environmental and social factors.
The 48-year-old said the three areas were densely populated and suffered from traffic congestion.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng questioned the feasibility of providing
more roads if the residential units are built. "How is the federal
government going to build new highways to overcome traffic jams with the
increased density from nearly 15,000 new homes?" he asked in a
statement.
(Source: The Sun Daily)
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