Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has announced that the state will build  another 3,000 units of affordable housing on the island.

"I have instructed the state secretariat to identify the land for that purpose. At least RM150 million will be put aside for this development," said Lim, at a press conference after Pakatan Rakyat state level convention in Penang yesterday.

The construction of the houses will be carried out by the state's development arm, the Penang Development Corporation.

More of the affordable housing estates are on the mainland, and the state now wants additional ones on the island, he added.

Lim is not taking any chances over allegations of lack of affordable homes or public housing for the poor as this would certainly be a major item in BN's general election campaign.

Penang BN has also tried to tempt voters with offering to build affordable homes below RM350,000 via a ‘rent and purchase' concept if the coalition were to recapture the state in the polls, which must be called by June.

'Healthy, safe, green and clean'

Earlier, during his speech at the convention, Lim launched the state's Pakatan's election theme: "Healthy, safe, green and clean Penang".

In his speech, Lim reminded the audience about the state's RM500 million allocation for the affordable housing fund to build 22,172 of such homes for Penangites.

Penang is the first state to have created history by initiating such a fund, and these houses would be designed by HDB Singapore, he noted.

"Recently, we carried out an exhibition and registration for those who wish to acquire an affordable home. So far, we have received 19,000 applications," he announced.

Affordable homes slated to be built by the state include 1,320 along Jalan SP Chelliah , in the heart of George Town and 12,000 in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan.

Other will be located in Teluk Kumbar, Ampang Jajar, Kampung Jawa dan Bukit Mertajam.