Penang Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Dato Keramat) said feedback gathered from the public viewing would form the basis for the drafting of RSN 2030.

He said the revised RSN 2020 would be displayed at the State Secretary’s Office in Komtar, Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council.

The RSN and its subsidiary local plans specify the type of projects allowed in every area in the state under the Town and Country Planning Act.

This allows for proper planning of development projects by the state and what the public in a particular area could look forward to in future.

Critics have slammed the state government for delaying the gazetting and review of the RSN, due in 2012.

The RSN is to be renewed every five years, but the state government has taken no action to date. The last RSN was gazetted in 2007.

The local plans for Penang island and Seberang Prai are also yet to be seen. A draft plan is reportedly ready to be gazetted.

On a different matter, Jagdeep said measures were in place to address problems related to the release of Bumiputera housing lots, as noted in the first series of the 2015 Auditor-General’s Report.

He said there were several issues involving the lots, mainly the disposal of unsold units and the buyers.

Jagdeep said a committee had come out with several solutions to these issues.

He said a committee would vet Bumiputera lot buyers for eligibility and applications from Bumiputera-Siamese buyers were also an issue.

“We have also ordered the local authorities not to award the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation to developers who do not meet the criteria for Bumiputera housing lots.

“Developers who are unable to sell Bumiputera units at the end of the three-month period will be asked to advertise their availability. At the same time, a notification will be sent to the housing and local government ministry,” Jagdeep said.