Penang Umno hits out at state government for questioning PR1MA

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Umno today criticised the state government for questioning the 1Malaysia People's Housing (PR1MA) programme when there were still many more housing projects by federal agencies which have yet to be implemented in the state.

State Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said implementation of low and medium cost houses, as well as affordable homes, involving more than 9,000 units, by federal agencies in Penang, which were long due, were delayed as the projects had yet to be approved by the state government.

He said the proposed housing projects were submitted by JKP Sdn Bhd and the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda).

"Not a single unit was approved for last year and also this year. We have waited for one and a half years," he told reporters after the breaking of fast by Bayan Baru Umno last night.

He said the issue on PR1MA was often raised by State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep, but no attention was given by the state government to the proposed construction of the 9,500 units of houses.

Zainal Abidin said implementation of PR1MA, to benefit 35,000 people, was planned under third phase, after completion of the phase one plan which involved 9,500 units of low, medium and affordable houses.

"We are awaiting approval for the phase one plan before implementing phase two, involving 25,000 units of houses and then only PR1MA," he added. – Bernama