©New Straits Times
ALOR STAR: The sole DAP assemblyman in Kedah has given the Pas-led state government until Nov 18 to withdraw its new policy requiring 50 per cent of new houses to be allocated to Bumiputeras.
Failing this, said Lee Guan Aik, he would launch a state-wide signature campaign.
Describing the new policy as "unfair and unlawful", he said he was surprised with the announcement by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak last month.
"Many people did not understand the policy since the details were not disclosed to us. The policy-makers should have created awareness or informed the public about the policy before enforcing it," he said, adding that the state government lacked transparency when enforcing the policy.
Lee is the latest to speak out against the policy, which has drawn criticism from many.
On Oct 6, Kedah-Perlis Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association chairman Ricque Liew Yin Chew said the policy was unfair and would drive many members out of business. He also claimed that the association was not consulted on the matter.
Kedah Malay Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Zainol Abidin Abdul Hamid had also raised his members' concerns over the policy which he said was not suitable for all housing projects.
Lee said he was ready to face the consequences for speaking out against the state government. He said he was doing it for the sake of the people, adding that the minority groups in Kedah also required adequate and affordable housing.
"Any policies that are introduced should be fair to all and protect the minority communities," he said, adding that the policy was not reflective of Kedah Pas' slogan of "Pas For All" which it had harped on during the March 8 general election.
He said the state government should also consider fine-tuning the policy by reinstating the release mechanism for unsold Bumiputera units.
State Housing Committee chairman Datuk Mohamed Taulan Rasul said the matter would be dealt with by Azizan, who is away in Australia.
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