Units priced from RM292,000 to RM390,000 will be built in Paya Terubong

A man checking out the project’s revival and rehabilitation plan.

THE state government has managed to get a developer to build 7,658 affordable homes in Paya Terubong, Penang.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said PLB Land Sdn Bhd had agreed to build the units ranging from 750 to 1,000sq ft priced between RM292,500 and RM390,000.

The developer is also the ‘white knight’ tasked to revive the abandoned 370 units of Taman Paya Terubong (Majestic Heights Phase 2A) which are scheduled for completion within 18 months.

Lim said the affordable homes would be built on a 26ha piece of land, next to Majestic Heights Phase 2A.

He said the state was looking to not only end the woes of the abandoned units’ owners, but to also provide “shelter” to first-time house buyers in the north-east district.

The upcoming development will consist of 1,532 units with a build-up size of 750sq ft priced at RM292,500, 4,594 units of 850sq ft (RM331,500) and 1,532 units of 1,000sq ft (RM390,000).

“The affordable housing scheme is scheduled for completion in six years starting from the date of commencement of work.

“It will only be eligible to qualified applicants registered with the state Housing Department,” he said before inspecting the abandoned Majestic Heights project yesterday.

Lim said: “Traffic management will be an important factor once the vast development takes shape.”

He said the state would construct a paired road from the development site to Bukit Gambier to ease traffic burden.

On the revival and rehabilitation of the abandoned Phased 2A project, Lim said the move was seen as a small step towards achieving the state’s vision that every Penangite would get to a own a house.

“It has been a long 18 years’ wait for these buyers. Now, they need to contribute RM10,000 each for the revival of the project under PLB Land Sdn Bhd.

“It is my wish to see all of you (affected owners) move into the houses eventually but there are still many issues ahead.”

Meanwhile, Taman Paya Terubong (Majestic Heights Phase 2A) pro-tem committee secretary Khor Boon Peng said they had managed to contact about 80% of affected owners.

“Those who have yet to get in touch with us can call me at 016-4969690 or email me at khrbnpng@gmail.com,” he said.

The Majestic Heights project is the largest abandoned housing scheme in Penang and has caused hardship and financial losses to the housebuyers over the last 11 years.

It consists of several phases but only Phase 1 obtained the certificate of fitness on Dec 31, 2003, while Phases 2A, 2B and 3A were abandoned. When Phase 2A was abandoned, the physical completion was already at 70%.