PENANG TARGETS 40-DAY APPROVAL FOR MADANI BAKAT BARU AFFORDABLE HOMES PROJECT

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Penang is targeting a 40-day timeframe to secure planning permission approval for the commencement of the ‘Rumah Mampu Milik Bakat Baru MADANI’ affordable housing scheme. 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this is in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s challenge to expedite the project, a joint venture between the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), through its subsidiary PDC Properties, and SkyWorld Development Bhd (SkyWorld).

Chow said as an initial step, PDC has organised a workshop this week with all relevant parties, including technical teams and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to deliberate on the matter.

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“Under the current OSC (One-Stop Centre) procedure, MBSP typically takes a minimum of 58 days to process applications (for planning permission approval). Achieving the 40-day target will not be easy, as developers must submit all relevant plans and comply with criteria for evaluation by the technical agencies.

“Therefore, Datuk Aziz Bakar (Chief Executive Officer of PDC) has initiated a mission by organising a workshop this week, bringing together MBSP and all technical agencies to plan the process backward — what must you achieve everyday in the next 40 days,” he told reporters after attending PDC's Christmas and New Year 2025 celebration here today.

He said the developer is expected to submit the plans on Jan 2, marking the start of the 40-day timeline.

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Chow said the Prime Minister has set mid-February 2025 as the date for the project's launch, expressing confidence that evaluations can be expedited if all plans are submitted in an orderly manner.

On Dec 10, Anwar witnessed the signing of the Joint Development Agreement for the project, which carries a gross development value (GDV) of RM13 billion in Penang. The project is hailed as the nation’s largest affordable housing development to date.

Located in Seberang Jaya and Bandar Cassia near Batu Kawan, the initiative will deliver 35,000 units of affordable homes and MADANI Bakat Baru homes, priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000.

Chow said the project is vital in providing affordable housing for new talents filling roles in the industrial sector, such as technical workers, engineers and graduates from institutions of higher learning.

“These individuals, including those from outside Penang, are also eligible to apply. If they work here, they can submit applications. Furthermore, PDC could collaborate with factories to offer incentive packages where employers assist with deposits and other costs to retain our talent here,” he said.

He said the 35,000 units will not be developed all at once but in phases over 15 years. The project will utilise the Industrialised Building System (IBS), which is faster and more efficient.

-- BERNAMA