Wind of change in Putrajaya, says Jagdeep as Penang's receives RM18m for housing

Putrajaya has approved a total of RM17.89 million for private and public housing maintenance projects in Penang, a move described by the state government as a "new year gift".

At a press conference in George Town today, state executive councillor for housing, local government, town and country planning Jagdeep Singh Deo expressed his gratitude to the Housing and Local Government Ministry for the timely move.

"The gift is good news and a blessing for Penang. Our efforts to pursue the federal government for funding has proven fruitful and successful," Jagdeep said.

"I have asked about the "1Malaysia Maintenance Fund" (TP1M) after we took over Putrajaya and I was informed that it still exists but has been renamed, the Malaysian Home Maintenance Fund (TPPM)," he added.

"We also have another fund called the Public Housing Maintenance Programme (PPP)."

Last year, Jagdeep directed the state Housing Department and local councils to apply for the two funds under the federal government.

The state then officially applied for funds for 123 projects (costing RM72 million) under the TPPM and another 14 projects (RM28 million) under the PPP.

This brings the total application to RM100 million for 137 projects, Jagdeep said.

"This shows a wind of change as we never got such treatment from Putrajaya before.

"On top of that, it was only a month after we had a meeting in Putrajaya and our application was approved," he said.

"This is a very good news for 2020 and I am happy to announce this at my first press conference for the year. At the end of the day is not for me, it is for the people of Penang," stressed the DAP Dato Keramat assemblyperson.

"In total, Putrajaya approved applications for 29 private housings projects and 10 public housings projects.

Putrajaya also approved RM2.497 million and RM133,500 funds for elevator replacement and repair works for five projects on the island and one on the mainland.

"The last time Penang received funding assistance from the federal government was way back in 2015."

In 2013, Jagdeep had slammed the federal government for inordinately delaying approvals for applications under the TP1M scheme.

Also present at today's press event were state Housing Department senior principal assistant secretary Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi and several members of the local councils. - Mkini