Rapped over 'properties for Kedahans only' plan

Rapped over 'properties for Kedahans only' plan

ALOR STAR: Kedah may soon ban outsiders from buying new homes and properties in Sungai Petani and Kulim.

State Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang, who criticised the plan yesterday, said the plan was now being drafted for tabling in the next state assembly meeting, slated for the middle of this month.

Under the plan, the land and district offices in the two constituencies will have the power to approve property acquisitions made only by Kedahans and residents in the two constituencies.

He said while the plan was to protect property ownership among Kedahans, it was discriminatory and impractical.

"Many people from other states, especially Penang, already own houses and properties in the two areas.

"There are among the most progressive areas in the state and the proposed ban will affect the housing sector," he said here yesterday.

Tan said the state government should not hamper development in the two areas or any part of the state and put more pressure on the developers, especially with its recent plan to impose a 60 per cent quota for affordable homes for every housing project.

"The state government should be proactive and encourage socio-economic activities throughout the state.

"The proposed ruling, if enforced, is discriminatory and will hinder the contributions of the private sector to the state and people's well-being."

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak denied knowledge of the proposal.

However, he said he did not see anything wrong with efforts by the state government to give priority to helping the people over the private sector on housing.

"I am not sure where Tan got his facts and figures on the two claims.

"I admit, the 60 per cent quota proposal is in the pipeline, but there is nothing on the no-sale ruling allegation," Azizan said after chairing the state executive council meeting here.

He said Tan could get into trouble, including getting charged under the Official Secrets Act, if he had access to state confidential files.

He said he would wait for the state Housing Committee chairman Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, who is currently abroad, to brief him on the new development.