Kedah govt fails to fulfil promise to build low-cost and affordable houses - Gerakan

Kedah govt fails to fulfil promise to build low-cost and affordable houses - Gerakan

 

ALOR SETAR (June 6, 2012): The Kedah government is claimed to have not kept its promise made to the people after the low-cost and affordable housing project launched in Bandar Sejahtera Pokok Sena, near here, over two years ago failed to take off.

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said on checking the site two days ago, he only found the model houses there.

"When launching the RM230 million project, the menteri besar (Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak) stated that 128 units of double-storey terrace houses costing about RM140,000 each had all been booked.

"But after two-and-a-half years, not even one unit has been built there except the model houses," he told reporters, here, today.

Tan said the state government should have completed the affordable housing project before initiating a mega one, namely Amansuri Residences, here.

"If we follow the law, houses should be built and completed within two years after signing the sale and purchase agreement. According to the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, a developer should pay compensation for delays at the annual rate of 10 per cent of the purchase price," he said.

Tan said he did not know the fate of the buyers, whether they had signed the sale and purchase agreement or not.

"If they have not signed the agreement, they cannot do anything but if they have, they can lodge a complaint with the Housing Tribunal under the Housing and Local Government Ministry."

Tan said the state government had not fulfilled its promise to solve the housing problem in the state and also failed to implement any housing project in Bandar Sejahtera Pokok Sena since the launching in 2010.

"There are a few more low-cost and affordable housing projects which have not been implemented as promised by the Kedah Pakatan Rakyat government," he said.

The Bandar Sejahtera Pokok Sena project launched on Jan 14, 2010 was to be carried out by the Kedah State Development Corporation's subsidiary company, Seri Temin Development (M) Sdn Bhd.

The project involves 1,811 units of houses of various types including low-cost terrace houses (579 units), semi-detached single-storey houses (246) and one-and-a-half-storey houses (192).