KUALA LUMPUR – The government rejected the accusations of Khalid Samad (Shah Alam Parliament – Pakatan Harapan) about a policy in Johor which distributes low-cost houses to the members of political parties.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib said, the government never applied such policy.
“I never heard that the low-cost houses are given based on political parties. If we look at the implementation, we have never chosen the recipients based on their political background, religion and culture.
“For those who are eligible under the B40 or M40 group, we will give them the opportunity according to their affordability and suitability,” he answered the oral questions by Khalid at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Earlier, Khalid questioned the allegations of government granting low-cost homes to political parties to get their support.
“There was a policy used in Johor called the Skim Kuota Menegak Kerajaan, where 20 percent of the low-cost homes are distributed through political parties and it is seen as an effort to reward the political party representatives.
“Perhaps, those who got the low-cost houses have owned their own houses.
“Is the government willing to guarantee that such abuse of power, where the distribution of low-cost houses given under political parties could be ended completely?” he questioned.
Dissatisfied with the explanation, Khalid claimed that Ismail did not know about such practices. He also alleged that the suggestion was raised by the candidates from the government during the recent Johor state election.
“Thank you for your answer. Perhaps, the Deputy Minister do not know about this because this is new but in the Johor state election, the scheme was promised by the candidate of Menteri Besar who did not become the Menteri Besar in the end.
“If Barisan Nasional wins, this scheme will be revived as the Johor PH government had earlier terminated the scheme. This was a common practice. In the Federal Territories, there were cases where the UMNO Division Leader owned low-cost houses even when he has other houses.
“I urge the government to give its guarantee that such twisted practice would not be implemented and supported,” said Khalid.
Commenting further on the issue, Ismail said that the government is fair in the distribution of low-cost homes to the people.
“We are sure that there is no such policy. That’s why I said that the KPKT (Ministry of Housing and Local Government) provides housing for the B40 and M40 group without looking at their political party,” Ismail added. -MalaysiaGazette
