By Tk Chua
It was true that PR1MA has indicated the maximum price for affordable housing. Since PR1MA is a federal agency responsible for public housing, it is not wrong to say that the benchmark was set by the Federal Government.
So the first issue is why did the Federal Government come up with a universal price for the whole country when there are obvious regional differences? It shows laziness to provide simplistic answers to complex problems. While it is stupid to set a universal price for the whole country, it is also stupid of state governments to follow blindly.
Why should the Penang state government feel apologetic for failing to come up with houses costing RM400,000 and less? Penang Island, like certain parts of Klang Valley, is a very expensive place. If the state government can be cited for failing to curb escalating land prices, the same failing could be held for Selangor and the Federal Government over land prices in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley.
A common argument is that people with low incomes need housing. Maybe this is where public housing comes in. But even for public housing, the price set must be commensurate with the overall income and cost of living for the place. You can’t build low cost houses in Bukit Damansara or Green Lane, can you?
Penang Island is a very different place when compared with Kuala Belud or Kota Baru. A universal maximum price for the whole country is simply illogical and impractical. To put it crudely, I think one has no business to continue living in Penang Island if he or she is a low-income earner.
Public housing programmes provided must be realistic in terms of actual cost, size and quality. The subsidy elements should not be too excessive. It will only lead to more substandard housing and more corruption among public officials and house buyers.
It is easy to point fingers and accuse others of politicking. But I think most Malaysians know who is politicising and providing excuses when they see one. We also know who is likely to punch above his weight – trying to be a smart aleck when he is just a mediocre guy.
SEE ALSO:
Rahman claims Guan Eng lied about Penang’s affordable housing
Who’s the liar, Guan Eng asks minister in housing price war
Why all projects under Guan Eng’s thumb, asks Rahman
Tk Chua is an FMT reader
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