Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan may be vocal on the social media, but he fears meeting Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to discuss federal-funded housing projects in the state.

Rahman said he had been communicating with Lim during meetings and through the media on state approval for the federal projects, but Lim has yet to approve about 10,000 applications for houses.

These applications, Rahman added, had been submitted by federal agencies such as JKP Sdn Bhd and the Penang Regional Housing Development Authority (Perda).

Asked if he should perhaps meet Lim at his office in the state  administrative complex at Komtar,  or invite him for a teh tarik , Rahman replied, “He’s very fierce ( bengis ), he is angry all the time ( selalu marah ). I am frightened ( takut )."

Rahman ( right ) said this when met in Guar Perahu last night, after he delivered a ceramah at the Umno’s stronghold in Permatang Pauh.

The by-election for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat entered its eighth day today, which is also the day for early voting.

(BN) Umno’s candidate Suhaimi Sabudin is vying for the parliamentary seat against three others - PKR’s Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PRM’s Azman Shah Othman and Independent Salleh Isahak.

'Lim should give approval polling'

Rahman said if Lim was sincere in helping Penangites own houses, he should approve the applications before May 7, the polling day for Permatang Pauh.

But this may not be possible as Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo ( left ) has demanded that the state-based Federal Action Committee chairperson Zainal Abidin Osman explain why the units are to be sold at beyond the ceiling price of RM400,000, with a few having a price tag of RM1.8 million.

“It is our money and our land and all we need is a signature. That is all we are asking,” said Rahman, who is the MP for Kota Belud.

“Why does he need to bring these applications to the state planning committee ?”

Rahman said Lim had questioned why the federal agencies wanted to construct houses costing about RM1 million, which he claimed were not that many in the projects submitted.

He said the agencies could use the money to build more low- and medium -cost houses as there is “tremendous pressure” to build such units in Penang.

“I am asking to build 10,000 units for Penang, and I cannot do it. I may as well take the 10,000 to Kota Belud. But the fact that I am giving it to Penang shows I am willing to compromise,” he said.

Rahman said “vengeful politics” was the only reason for Lim to hold back the approvals for the housing applications.