A 5% housing discount offered for Indian Muslims in Penang will be reviewed by the state government, says Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim.
He said he had raised the matter with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow recently, after the proposed discount drew criticism.
Sim, who is also human resources minister, said Chow had agreed to bring the matter back to the state executive council to be discussed and reviewed.
“I take note of the public feedback on the matter. As a party that upholds the Federal Constitution, DAP always fights for justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion.
“It is important that the Penang government continues to uphold the principle of social justice and ensures that every Malaysian’s right to homeownership is protected,” he said in a statement.
The discount was announced on Thursday, by executive councillor for housing, S Sundarajoo. He said private developers will be encouraged to voluntarily offer a 5% discount to first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers for one year as part of a state housing campaign.
The initiative was criticised by human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who called the campaign discriminatory and unconstitutional.
However, Sundarajoo defended the discount, saying it does not infringe on the rights of other communities and was purely aimed at increasing homeownership among groups with low participation in the open market.
He also said developers would offer the discount as a form of corporate social responsibility and would not involve the state government’s funds.
