From our last poll, it appears that almost 60 per cent of you felt that affordable housing would be any home priced up to RM240000 rather than RM400000. (Mind you, this would be what is affordable to the middle class rather than the low-income group, who would struggle to buy even a RM72000 home.)
This figure of RM240000 also tallies with a Penang Institute researcher’s opinion that the price of an affordable home should be between RM180,000 and RM240,000, three to four times the average household yearly income (based on about RM5000 per month in 2012), in line with the international yardstick for what constitutes an affordable price for a home.
Is that why there is a glut in ‘affordable housing’? (Because many would be unable to afford housing from RM240000 to RM400000.)
Let’s do another poll of monthly household income (husband and wife’s combined income only) and see if that supports the finding in the earlier poll and compare the outcome to the eligibility criteria of income thresholds for ‘affordable housing’ as laid out by the state government. But bear in mind that based on the demographic profile of readers of this blog, the poll result would probably be skewed towards the incomes of the middle- to upper-middle class strata of the population.
This is from the Affordable Housing Scheme website:
Income not exceeding RM2,500 for Low Cost (husband and wife). (for low-cost home RM42000)
Income not exceeding RM3,500 for Low Medium Cost (husband and wife). (for low-medium cost home RM72500)
Income not exceeding RM6,000 for Affordable Homes priced at RM200,000 (husband and wife).
Income not exceeding RM8,000 for Affordable Homes priced at RM300,000 (husband and wife).
Income not exceeding RM10,000 for Affordable Homes priced at RM400,000 (husband and wife).
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The readers of this blog mostly earn a lot and may not be able to empatise with the plight of the poor. So the writer of this blog must highlight more social issues affecting the poor. Just my humble opinion.
Thanks for the reminder, Johari. Noted.
My father works in Singapore as an engineer.
He sends home 3K SingDollar to my mother each month, therefore our household income in Penang is RM8K to RM9K a month, can be used to pay for our housing loan.
Good news for your family as Singapore Dollar will go up against Ringgit (could be 2.92 by year end) as Ringgit is falling again to the lowest level despite initial euphoria over the Fitch rating.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ringgit-at-weakest-level-since-3.8-dollar-peg-scrapped-in-2005
“Affordable” is vague. The bottom 60% or so should be able assisted to get a house. This is very basic democracy. There may have to be different schemes for the bottom 20%, the next 20% and the next 20%. If the house is for sale, the cost including any interest must be limited, to be paid up within about 10 years from max. 1/3 of income. Buying may not be feasible for the poorest. There is no need for any genius to invent any of this. It has all been done elsewhere. And what do we have in Bolehland? Ever… Read more »
Many rich people in Penang do not flaunt their wealth.
There are many around who keep low profile.
Many like me are earning only about 2000. I wanted to apply for a 72k affpoorable.house but was told it would cost RM200k. My goodness what is happening when the notice board show 72k. . Am I being taken for a ride or being cheated. What am I going to do. I will be homeless for the rest of my life. I am living in a shack in the Heritage area. As I keep worrying and puffing my cigarettes one Mppp officer came over and wanted to give me a ticket. I said why as I have done nothing wrong.… Read more »
My eldest sister got a 42K low cost home in Sg Ara after on waiting list for more than 20 years. She thanked Barisan National & thanked God even though having to wait so long.
What will she get had she reapply thro CAT?
No need to answer that but it’s nice to provoke the trolls drunk in Sg Pinang Black Tea concocted by Niao Kong.
If you are not happy in Penang, why not migrate elsewhere?
Don’t simply “pang phooi”. Very “too kow”. You own Penang ah???
Translations, please.
Tunglang in Mandarin sounds like ‘retarded man’.
Wat Chye has brought name shame to Thai temples.
Pls go shave your head to pay penance.
If nothing else works, can go to Haadyai & beg for forgiveness in the streets of brothels.
“I wanted to apply for a 72k affpoorable.house but was told it would cost RM200k. My goodness what is happening when the notice board show 72k”.
Get your evidence & complain to Consumer Association of Penang.
If all fails, get RSCPA to catch that lying Niao Kong…
This shows one thing: the lying state gomen is in cohort with greedy & opportunist developers to cash on affordable home buyers while the sun shine over the CAT regime.
I have already complained to almost all of the adun. Most of them tell you, I will give you a reply in 1 week but they never do. Worse is some never bother to reply at all. It has also been reported in the news media when many went to Komtar and cry. Now they have shosh shoosh under the carpet. The 72k unit will come in 2 agreements. One main agreement 72k and the other supplement agreement 140k. Is this not deceiving the people.? One MP has even hoo hoo lala the issue immediately after 308 and now he… Read more »
Tis the venue to complain:
http://www.consumer.org.my/index.php/homepage/about-us/458-contact-us
These CAT politicians are clever to play with small figures (72K) & perception (that they are doing the affordable housing mission) but smoke-screen the 140K until the moment of application, which in effect is a form of cheating. Why claim affordable @ 72K when it is a LIE?
Call CAP for further action: 04-8299511
Pang, I am happy here but not with the CAT. I am born and lived here for more than 40 years. Who are you to ask Penangite to leave. In fact the CAT should leave. He does not belong here
Engaging with Pang Phui is an unpleasant discourse while holding your breathe tightly.
Let’s spray Ambipur Air Freshener for a refreshing anilnetto.com
BN has yet to fulfil promises to build housing for the people on the Ayer Itam land owned by 1MDB, in the run-up to the 2013 general election.
Not easy, as BN will have to pay a lot to compensate the existing residents at that Ayer Itam land who may use Kpg Buah Pala incident as a ‘case law’.
A bit off topic, Petrol naik again ? When the market is going down when besieges by the Greek fiasco ? What sort of a govt we have ??
Household income is a private and confidential matter. So I cannot participate in the survey as Anil could not guarantee personal data protection.
I have no idea who is replying to the polls.
Anil, your poll is highly skewed. Wonder whether it is the work of trolls.
10K household incomes belong to the 1%, not as what your poll reflects.
Can blame the desperate trolls trying by hook & crooks to influence public opinion.
Either the trolls, or I have some pretty well off readers – so it is not going to be an accurate representation of the population. Sorry!
Most Penang folks are rich but kiam siap and lead a frugal lifestyle. So the distributed of income in the poll is correct.
Typical twist & turn & clever manipulation of perception.
Who would believe that the 1% has suddenly claimed a higher % in such a poll open to deceptive manipulation by Niao Kong Trolls?
Nobody give a damn about your income. You don`t trust BN, that alright cos one is an opposition lackey. Anil allowed you in the blog and yet you don`t trust him. Do you think the people trust your pathetic mumble and jumbo. How pathetic
Pre 308 : Get Rid of Boh Hoot
Post 505 ; Get Rid of Niao Kong
Between 308 and 505 I too busy enjoying street food of Penang that I forgot to hunt for good bargain houses/Condos on the island, and now I live to regret 🙁
You should have started buying a home (perhaps a joint purchase with your siblings) when you got your 1st job in your younger 20s. I don’t know what is your age, so can’t fathom your missed opportunities. I got my 1st home when I was 22. And got a nice view condo with a convalescent garden when I was 37. And thereafter enjoyed 4WD in the most pristine rainforest of Kedah, Perak & Kelantan some cosmopolitan plastic souls won’t have the opportunity in their miserable-kia su lives to enjoy like I did. Thank God for the blessings for not worshipping… Read more »
At 37 got a nice condo why then applying for RM72k apartment, r u depriving home needy people like me?
Dear JMenon. Yours a typical assuming exercise without knowing the fact: Did I said I was qualified for Rm72K affordable housing? Don’t we have a right to comment on questionable affordable housing in Pg? Or is it that those who qualified fro affordable housing can ONLY comment? Gosh!!! Don’t for Niao Kong’s sake try to run down others to justify the ???-state of affordable housing saga. Did you try applying & patiently wait like what my sister did for more than 20 yrs & who finally got one home for 42K? Let me try this assuming exercise in the same… Read more »
He is greedy indeed.
Got a house still want to ask for a low cost home.
Ver shameful behavior indeed!
tunglang already has a house, but still insist on getting one low cost one from the State government? Give first home owner a chance. He should be blacklisted.
It shows some readers-commenters don’t read but simply burp accusation like “pang phui”.
Anyway, as I have said – I am not qualified for affordable housing but I will fight for justice in this sham of affordable housing under the Niao Kong Regime of Lies & Arrogance.
What is pang phui?
Pang Phui means “fart”.
Metaphorically, it means talking nonsense without substance or blurting unpleasantries to the point of rudeness of the “too kow”. Too Kow means social-illiterate or uncultured fella.
Hi Anil, please consider running another poll after this one on ” How much have each household paid to own motor vehicles in order to make a living?” I suspect our ecomony is way distorted to the benefits of motor vehicle AP holders.
Sure, good idea – to show the cost to ordinary Malaysians of a poor public transport system. Should I ask, how much do you spend on transport costs per month (including car or motorbike loans, petrol, annual road tax/insurance divided by 12) as a percentage of your own income?
Mine is not a representative figure as I am one of those “warriors” on the road. I use my motor vehicle for business activities, visiting customers, making deliveries etc. I spend RM600-RM800 on petrol and pay RM1600 per month for my installment. By right, I should only be paying RM800-RM1000 per month for the same car if I were to live outside Malaysia (except Singapore).
Still, it would be interesting to see what percentage of income is spent on transport, irrespective of purpose. I suspect for a lot of people it could be around 20 per cent of income.
Previously, the argument against paying too much for our motor vehicles was that we got to enjoy fuel subsidy. This argument is no longer valid but our motor vehicles are still as expensive as ever. In Japan, employees, even sales people are discouraged (in fact prohibited) from bringing their personal motor vehicles to work. Everyone is on public transport there.
From my observation, many living in small and low cost homes own big cars; and some living in high-end condominiums drive only small cars.
Yes, 20% is about right
Smart people spend on items that can appreciate in value. Cars will depreciate in value and has little salvage value after 8 years, while your home will continue to rise in value.
Drive big car like flashy 4WD or 2000c.c covertaking kancil or axia to satisfy inner ego which could have been bruised by not able to afford lifestyle condos – very common!
Drink less Pulau Tikus toddy & your mind will wake up to the real fact of affordable housing in Cosmopolitan Penang for the rich & famous.
And don’t blame others who have as much a right to question the state of the housing saga for your goodness sake, if you haven’t got a low-cost or an affordable home in your home state.
You should be thankful to anilnetto.com & others to fight for this contentious issue of affordable housing more in urgency than high-end homes for the rich & famous.