Housing developers have been urged by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to boldly raise concerns about or on any perceived "improprieties" in the local councils of the state.

Lim said the state government was not able to act to cut red tape or improve both productivity and efficiency if the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) chooses to remain silent.

penang third bridge project signing 061013 lim guan eng"In this case, silence is not golden. As Edmund Burke said, ‘Evil exists because good people choose to do nothing'," Lim said in a statement released today.

Lim said some housing developers had fervently opposed the state government, to the extent of pouring "huge sums of money" during the recent general elections.

This debunks the oft-repeated allegations by "certain irresponsible and opportunistic elements that this state government sides with its so-called "developer friends", he said, adding that the state government has no developer friends and wants to be friends with everyone.

"That can only be achieved by establishing rule of law and adhering to set rules and procedures that promote certainty, clarity, competency and continuity," he added.

Lim expressed hope that Rehda members would continue to uphold the same principles whenever they deal with the state government.

Lim said he felt compelled to issue the statement after a letter sent to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak by Siti Hajar, Aladin a 27-year old Malaysian who questioned the wisdom of the government's decision to increase petrol prices.

'Support state's affordable housing initiative'

Siti Hajar revealed that the middle-income group is feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living because their salaries are not low enough to qualify them to receive the RM 1,000 BR1M aid - and not high enough to buy their own houses because of escalating house prices.

Lim urged Rehda members to support the state government's initiative to build 22,172 units of affordable housing throughout the five districts of Penang.

He wants Redha to adopt controls to ensure that housing developers do their fair share of building affordable housing.

"This state government does not believe in political vengeance nor in discriminating Penangites based on race, religion, political background or social standing," he added.