No such thing as shortcuts to affordable housing
Recently a syndicate ‘guaranteeing’ applicants and home buyers of affordable housing by asking for monetary compensation of RM10,000 to RM30,000 has caught the attention of developers and the state government.
Aspen Group has received multiple complaints from the public that they have received phone calls from a syndicate demanding a hefty amount of money to secure a unit at the Tri Pinnacle housing project. They have immediately lodged a police report yesterday over the matter.
State exco for Housing, Town and Country Planning Jagdeep Singh Deo has rubbished that any shortcuts are available to supersede the selection process overseen by Selection Process Enhancement Committee (SPEC).
“SPEC is run by an 8 person panel and SPEC prepares the lists of eligible applicants for affordable housing. There is no other way to secure these housing selections; definitely no third party has the authority over this,” he said.
He also warned members of the public not to fall for this scam and if they do come across these syndicates, he appeals for them to come forward to see him personally to assist the police in the investigations.
“We are doing this to help every Penangite to secure a roof above their heads. We will not let illegal syndicate operations undermine this effort,” he added.
As of July, 5721 applicants have already been approved for their low cost and low medium cost housing with many more still being vetted through for further public and public-private affordable housing projects.
Source: Buletin Mutiaara
No offense, just curious, are there any measures being put in to prevent any 1 of the 8-member panel from being “bought” by someone? Well, you can’t be too careful nowadays after Germany beat Brazil 7-1. Right?
I think they shud make the selection criteria transparent, leaving no subjectivity. All the names of the successful applicants must be published, including the criterias they met which made them successful applicants. In doing so, those who think they met the same criterias but were not successful in their applications can make an appeal. Competency, Accountability, Transparency!
Would the selection committee be kind enough to consider the age factor of older applicants before they expire and become irrelevant.
I mean, would senior citizens be given a little priority in the selection process.I hope so,keeping my fingers crossed!