Latest news with #MalaysianMalaysia
The Star
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PAS man mulls legal action after fallout from FB post
PETALING JAYA: A PAS division leader who suggested that Malaysia will have its first Chinese prime minister by 2058 is considering legal action against a political leader. Sungai Buloh PAS division chief Zaharudin Muhammad, who is also the son-in-law to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, claims that DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim as well as a news portal "spun" his now-deleted Facebook posting with the initial remarks. ALSO READ: PAS distances from controversial FB post, says Johnny Lim's appointment should be celebrated 'I never intended to criticise the appointment of Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng as the Army's first Chinese Lieutenant General. 'Sim and the website have spun my original posting, which included a photo of Lim for illustrative purposes,' he said in a new Facebook posting Thursday (June 26). He went on to say that DAP has been pushing its "Malaysian Malaysia" concept, which includes the possibility of a non-Malay prime minister. 'They know that I am strongly against that and based on this prejudice, they immediately interpreted my post according to their prejudice,' Zaharudin said. He added that he deleted his original posting after a barrage of negative comments from cybertroopers – not because he was afraid of the legal implications. ALSO READ: PAS leader slammed over Facebook post linked to first Chinese three-star general 'I will speak to my lawyers about taking action against the website, which spun my original post, and I will also discuss... possible legal action against Sim,' he said. In his original post, the PAS man suggested that Malaysia would have its first Chinese prime minister by 2058 following the appointment of Lim as Lieutenant General. Sim, who is also Human Resources Minister, then said he was upset by Zaharudin's remarks, as Lim's appointment was being disputed merely because he was Chinese. Lim, a Melaka-born officer, has served in the military for 41 years and said he joined in 1984 to help in the effort against insurgents.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang seeks to expand 5% home discount to all buyers
GEORGE TOWN: The 5% housing discount for first-time homebuyers involving the Indian Muslim community will be reviewed, says Chow Kon Yeow. The Penang Chief Minister said he has instructed state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo to review the policy with developers to expand the discount to all buyers. He said the move will make it more inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society in line with the principle of social justice. 'Some of the views received suggested that such a discount should also be offered to all buyers to revitalise the property sector, especially in relation to the sale of unsold new property units,' he said in a statement yesterday. The state executive council, Chow said, would study the matter and make an appropriate decision in the interest of all parties. On Thursday, Sundarajoo told reporters that from June 1 until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer Indian Muslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign. On Saturday, he issued a formal statement on the matter but about an hour later, Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim announced that Chow agreed to suspend the discount offer pending the review. The initial policy announced by the state government was criticised by MCA, which described it as racially divisive. State MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah questioned why the Penang government could not base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion, expressing confusion that DAP, a party advocating for a 'Malaysian Malaysia', would introduce such a racially framed initiative. 'The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
House discount cancelled
GEORGE TOWN: Two days after announcing a 5% discount for Indian Muslim homebuyers in Penang, the offer was rescinded in a state government U-turn. The proposal is now back on the drawing board after Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim raised the issue with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Although the discount was intended to boost demand for unsold new properties in Penang, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the move as racially divisive. By offering the privilege only to Indian Muslims, Yeoh questioned whether it amounted to a new form of racial quota. 'The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing the races,' he said. Yeoh questioned why the Penang government could not base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion, expressing confusion that DAP, a party advocating for a 'Malaysian Malaysia', would introduce such a racially framed initiative. 'Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background?' he added. Penang Hindu Association president Datuk P. Murugiah said that if there is an overhang of properties in the state, offering a discount to only one ethnic group is unfair. 'The discount should be for all Penangites regardless of race, especially the B40 and M40 groups, with priority given to B40 families,' he said. Murugiah said the privilege should, rightly, even be extended to anyone born in Penang. Sim, in a statement yesterday announcing that Chow had agreed to suspend the discount offer pending a review by the state executive council, emphasised the importance of upholding social justice and ensuring every Malaysian's right to own a home. 'I take note of the public feedback regarding the 5% discount given to the Indian Muslim community only for the purchase of unsold (overhanging) new property units in Penang,' he said. Sim said he had discussed the matter with Chow, who agreed to bring it up for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. About an hour earlier, state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo had again announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, developers would be encouraged to offer Indian Muslims who are first-time homebuyers a 5% discount. He first made the announcement on June 5. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during yesterday's meeting of the state executive council and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday, following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. He added that the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' corporate social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. The provision of the discount relies on the corporate social responsibility of the developers and does not include any financial support or subsidies from the state government. Sundarajoo said that, based on the Penang Property Market Report for the fourth quarter of 2024 by the National Property Information Centre, 2,796 residential units have been identified as overhung, involving various property types across the state. He described the number of unsold new affordable housing units in Penang as worrying, adding that the discount was an intervention by the state to help revitalise the housing sector.
The Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang govt to study decision on 5% discount for first-time homebuyers among Indian Muslims, says Sim
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will review its decision to offer a 5% discount to first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community for one year before implementing it, says Steven Sim. The Penang DAP chairman said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, adding that the latter agreed the matter to be brought up for review and discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting. "I take note of the public feedback regarding the 5% discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold (overhang) property units in Penang," he said in a statement. Sim said it is important for the state government to continue upholding the principles of social justice and to ensure that the right of every Malaysian to own a home is protected. Earlier, state housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the state government has approved measures to revitalise the property sector. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during the state executive council meeting on Saturday (June 7) and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 3), following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. He, however, said the discount excludes bumiputra quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. Meanwhile, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the state government over the measure, questioning if it introduces a new form of racial quota. He questioned why the Penang government couldn't base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion and said that DAP is promoting a "Malaysian Malaysia" while introducing racial policies that divide society.
The Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang new discount to boost housing sector gets called out
GEORGE TOWN: In response to concerns over the oversupply of non-affordable housing units, the Penang state government has approved measures to revitalise the property sector. State housing committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the decision was made during the state executive council meeting on Saturday (May 7) and the state planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 3), following discussions with housing industry stakeholders. "According to the Penang Property Market Report for the fourth quarter of 2024 by the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), 2,796 residential units are identified as overhang, involving various property types across the state," he said on Saturday (June 7). The state government encourages private developers to offer a 5% discount to first-time homebuyers among the Indian Muslim community for one year. The discount excludes Bumiputera quota units and does not affect existing housing policies. The provision of the discount is based on developers' social responsibility and does not involve financial support or subsidies from the state government. "This initiative aims to expand homeownership opportunities in the open market for groups with historically low participation rates without compromising the rights of other communities," he said. Sundarajoo added that all existing housing policies, including the Bumiputera quota and various incentives for first-time buyers, remain intact. The initiative is an addition to existing programmes designed to meet the state's housing needs. The measure also aims to stimulate the property sector, which has been affected by rising construction material and labour costs, in line with the state government's aspiration for balanced, sustainable, and inclusive development in Penang. Meanwhile, state MCA secretary Yeoh Chin Kah criticised the state government over the measure, questioning if it introduces a new form of racial quota. "Sundarajoo announced that from June 1 this year until May 31 next year, Indian Muslims will be eligible for a 5% discount on residential or commercial properties. "The people of Penang cannot accept this policy and condemn it for dividing races," he said. He questioned why the Penang government couldn't base its housing policy on economic status rather than race and religion and said that DAP is promoting a "Malaysian Malaysia" while introducing racial policies that divide society. "Don't low-income groups who are not Indian Muslims also need assistance? Shouldn't struggling families be treated equally and helped regardless of background," he said.
