Nod to buy land to build homes
30/04/2007 The Star By Nik Khusairi Ibrahim

A SPECIAL committee chaired by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop has agreed in principle to purchase a 4.4ha piece of land in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, for development purposes.

The committee had verbally agreed to set aside RM20mil to purchase the land to build low-cost houses.

Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail said Nor Mohamed had agreed to look into the purchase of the land as 70 families living in 50 houses in Kampung Mutiara in Batu Ferringhi had been served with eviction notices.

“The majority are Malays. But houses built on the land will be offered to all who are affected by the development project in Kampung Mutiara, regardless of race.

“A proposal to build low density low-cost and low medium-cost flats in the area will be submitted to the Penang Municipal Council.

“Units will be offered free to those who cannot afford. But those who can afford must pay,’’ he said.

Ahmad said this after the closing of a community service programme involving 40 Universiti Sains Malaysia students in Batu Ferringhi yesterday by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Mohd Ali who is Malacca Chief Minister said Malays in Penang must change their mindset.

“They cannot depend on the government forever. They must make preparations for the future generation,’’ he said.