The Penang Malay Congress says that the time has come for DAP and BN to work together to solve the state's housing problems.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malay Congress has suggested a strange alliance. It wants the DAP and the Barisan Nasional to work together to develop affordable housing units in the state.
For a start, the congress said that the state government should consider selling more land to the BN.
Its president, Rahmad Isahak, said the time has come for BN and Pakatan Rakyat to work together to resolve the acute shortage of housing here.
Referring to the offer by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to sell a 0.4hectare-plot in Taman Manggis to BN in return for the construction of affordable housing, Rahmad said Lim’s gesture should be respected.
However, Lim should not just settle for the Taman Manggis land, he said.
All available landbank in the state should be given to BN so it can influence developers and agencies to develop affordable housing, he added.
“Affordable housing would be an issue in the next general election. The people are suffering as BN and Pakatan squabble over how best to tackle the need for affordable housing, particularly on the island.
“My suggestion is both sides work together for the betterment of the people here,” Rahmad said.
He said the state government sells its landbank to BN and the latter sources for financiers to help develop the land for affordable housing.
Growing resentment
On another matter, Rahmad said the congress wants Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim to come clean on the allocation of seats for Penang.
He doubts that the seat allocation has been resolved because in Penang, certain parties want clarification from DAP over whether they would field Malay candidates in Penang.
“How can Anwar announce that the seat allocation is settled?”
The allocation of seats in Penang has not been settled as nobody has clarified whether DAP would be fielding Malay candidates, Rahmad said in an interview.
He urged Anwar to pay more attention to his home state since there is growing resentment among the Malays towards the local leaders of PKR and PAS here.
They are uncomfortable as they believe that both PKR and PAS have failed to live up to the expectations of the Malay community here, Rahmad said.
It looks like the Malays would not have adequate representation in the state government as it is difficult for PAS and PKR to deliver all of the Malay-dominated seats, he said.
This is also one of the reasons why Lim is mooting for an anti-party hopping legislation in Penang, Rahmad claimed.
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