Gerakan dismisses CM's 'zero' hardcore poor claim
Susan LoonePublished: Aug 9, 2011 12:02 PM | Updated: Aug 9, 2011 6:25 PM
Penang Gerakan leader Dr Teng Hock Nan has dismissed the DAP-led government’s claims that there is “zero” harcore poverty in the state, pointing out its existence as well as that of inadequate housing in Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim’s own constituency of Permatang Pauh.
Penang Gerakan leader Dr Teng Hock Nan has dismissed the DAP-led government’s claims that there is “zero” harcore poverty in the state, pointing out its existence as well as that of inadequate housing in Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim’s own constituency of Permatang Pauh.
"It is not true, because in Permatang Pauh, a seat held by the former deputy prime minister, there are still many hardcore poor families," he told reporters after a walk-about in Kubang Semang yesterday.
"These families are from various communities and it is the responsibility of the BN to get them out of this very pathetic situation," added the former state exco member for local government, traffic management and environment (above, right).
In 2009, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan had said Penang became the first state in the country to eradicate hardcore poverty after it organised financial aid and economic activities for all 726 households said to have belonged in the ‘hardcore poor’ category.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary general, said his government’s initiative was successful partly because of the support of the private sector and social groups who worked aggressively towards the effort to alleviate the hardships of the poor.
Given the DAP-government’s failures despite its assertions, said Teng, BN has to work "doubly hard" to ensure a better life for the hardcore poor.
The other serious problem facing Anwar’s constituents is that of housing, said Teng, a former Pulau Tikus assemblyperson.
Even though Lim recently issued a clarification about the state's approval of low-cost and medium-cost homes, the people were still in the dark over Penang's housing policy, claimed Teng.
Refuting allegations by Umno that the state achieved 'zero' performance in the matter, Lim had announced that the state government had, since 2008, issued approvals to build 11,596 low- and medium-cost houses.
Teng also queried whether developers are being asked to pay a high premium for not building low cost houses, the costs incurred from which would eventually be passed on to buyers, resulting in the skyrocketing of property prices.
"Lim (right) has conveniently not told us - what is the present premium levied from the developer for approval of plans for those who are not building low cost homes?" he asked.
"During the BN's time, we used to charge RM8,000, But now, how much are they charged?
“If they pay more, they charge the buyers... Is this one of the reason why prices of houses are skyrocketing?" he queried.
Teng also asked what development charges had been imposed for the re-zoning of land, and whether they also contribute to the high cost of property.
Such information is very important to determine whether developers were being overcharged and the costs passed to home buyers.
“This would make the cost of property not affordable to ordinary people. It would also not be lucrative for developers," he said.
"If Lim's government practises CAT - competency, accountability and transparency - then let the people know all these," he added.
Teng said the BN had been asking these questions a number of times, but no answer was forthcoming.
"It is not true, because in Permatang Pauh, a seat held by the former deputy prime minister, there are still many hardcore poor families," he told reporters after a walk-about in Kubang Semang yesterday."These families are from various communities and it is the responsibility of the BN to get them out of this very pathetic situation," added the former state exco member for local government, traffic management and environment (above, right).
In 2009, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan had said Penang became the first state in the country to eradicate hardcore poverty after it organised financial aid and economic activities for all 726 households said to have belonged in the ‘hardcore poor’ category.
Lim, who is also DAP secretary general, said his government’s initiative was successful partly because of the support of the private sector and social groups who worked aggressively towards the effort to alleviate the hardships of the poor.
Given the DAP-government’s failures despite its assertions, said Teng, BN has to work "doubly hard" to ensure a better life for the hardcore poor.The other serious problem facing Anwar’s constituents is that of housing, said Teng, a former Pulau Tikus assemblyperson.
Even though Lim recently issued a clarification about the state's approval of low-cost and medium-cost homes, the people were still in the dark over Penang's housing policy, claimed Teng.
Refuting allegations by Umno that the state achieved 'zero' performance in the matter, Lim had announced that the state government had, since 2008, issued approvals to build 11,596 low- and medium-cost houses.
Teng also queried whether developers are being asked to pay a high premium for not building low cost houses, the costs incurred from which would eventually be passed on to buyers, resulting in the skyrocketing of property prices.
"Lim (right) has conveniently not told us - what is the present premium levied from the developer for approval of plans for those who are not building low cost homes?" he asked. "During the BN's time, we used to charge RM8,000, But now, how much are they charged?
“If they pay more, they charge the buyers... Is this one of the reason why prices of houses are skyrocketing?" he queried.
Teng also asked what development charges had been imposed for the re-zoning of land, and whether they also contribute to the high cost of property.
Such information is very important to determine whether developers were being overcharged and the costs passed to home buyers.
“This would make the cost of property not affordable to ordinary people. It would also not be lucrative for developers," he said.
"If Lim's government practises CAT - competency, accountability and transparency - then let the people know all these," he added.
Teng said the BN had been asking these questions a number of times, but no answer was forthcoming.
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