THE Penang government has finalised the application procedure and criteria for employees with talent and skills in Penang to own affordable housing units in the state.

State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said investPenang proposed that the Selection Process Enhance-ment Committee waive the requirement that employees from other states had to have a minimum of five years’ working experience in Penang to qualify for affordable housing.

“The committee has agreed to this as long as the other criteria are met.

“Successful applicants must, however, undertake to work in Penang for a minimum of five years from the date of the handover of keys to their housing unit,” Jagdeep Singh told a press conference at his office in Komtar on Tuesday.

An eligible applicant must also be a registered voter in Penang.

“The applicants must be Malaysians, have not owned any house before and have a maximum household income of not more than RM10,000 per month,” he said.

He said the talent and skills category was launched on Monday after the criteria and application procedure were finalised.

investPenang general manager Loo Lee Lian said applicants for this category must be a degree or diploma holder from a government-recognised institute of higher learning.

They must also have at least two years of working experience, and be employed by companies registered and operating in Penang.

Several representatives from Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association Penang, Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang branch and others were present at the press conference.

For details, call investPenang at 04-6468833 or state Housing Department at 04-6505241.

Link: The Star