JELUTONG MP Jeff Ooi claimed a developer who tried to sell low-cost housing at higher than the maximum recommended ceiling price had been blacklisted by the Hous- ing and Local Government Minist-ry.

The move to take the developer to task was initiated by the Penang Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai after a group of residents complained that the price of low-cost houses in Taman Pelangi Indah, Perak Lane, had been inflated from RM75,000 to RM135,000.

He claimed the developer was going against the state’s policy by selling the low-cost houses with a built-up area of 650sq ft beyond the maximum recommended price.

“The state government filed a complaint last year against the developer who is currently being investigated by the ministry,” he said.

In an earlier report, Ooi had said that applications by 13 residents to purchase low medium-cost flats costing RM72,500 in the Taman Pelangi Indah project had been approved by the housing unit in the state secretary’s office but then, they were told by the developer that such units had been sold out.

The developer then offered the residents other units of similar size but costing RM135,000 due to additional renovation works and the inclusion of a parking lot.

Ooi said he assisted 11 of the residents in buying the low medium-cost housing units at RM72,500 each from the same project.

“They have signed the sales and purchase agreement and are now waiting for the local government to issue the occupation certificates (OC),” he said, adding that two residents withdrew their applications.

Source: The Star