Amid negative feedback, the state government of Kedah has agreed to review a provision under its proposed housing policy, which mandates developers to increase the quota of affordable homes from 30 percent to 60 percent.
Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, Chairman of State Industry, Investment and Housing Committee, assured that he will discuss the proposal with the members of the Kedah Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA) before making a final decision.
He explained that the government did not intend to ignore the stakeholders to this issue, which include the developers and other vital non-governmental organisations.
"The matter is still at the drafting stage and nothing is confirmed yet."
"We are also looking at ways to prevent non Kedah-borns from buying houses in Kedah," he added.
Instead of the increasing the quota, Rick Cheng, Chairman of REHDA (Kedah), together with some colleagues counter-proposed that levies paid for unbuilt low-cost houses be used for the development of low-cost houses in vital areas.
He explained that not all areas are ideal for affordable housing since the real market for them is limited in some areas in Kedah.
Moreover, some people have highlighted that the provision, which bars non Kedah-borns from acquiring property in the state, goes against the PAS 2008 election manifesto.
According to them, if the exclusionary provision is implemented, non-Bumiputeras will have great difficulty finding more affordable property, contrary to PAS promise of increasing the "supply of good and comfortable low-cost housing which meet household space and environmental needs."
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