A low-medium cost house buyer surprised the people at the entrance to the Penang government complex at Komtar today when he went down on his knees and begged the state government for help to resolve his housing problem.

Mohd Fairus Ilias, 33, was part of a group of 20 low-medium cost flat buyers who came to Komtar to hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, seeking his help to stop the developer from forcing them to pay a lot more for their units.

Fairus was later urged to stand up, when state government representative Mariah Muhd Mukhtar appeared and accepted the memorandum from the group's spokesperson, Jamilah Abdul Rahman, 38.

"We are so unhappy because we have approached the state Housing Department many times but have yet to get a response from them," Jamilah said.

A member of the group, Muhd Amir Abdul Kadir, said the buyers received a notice from the developer - Centrio Avenue - on Nov 29 last year, informing them of the new cost of their units.

Buyers asked to pay RM88,500 more

"Please do not take our plight lightly. Please act quickly to solve our problem, for we have nowhere else to go," Muhd Amir said.

Members of the group bought their flats - costing about RM72,500 each - in a 31-storey block in Bukit Gambier.

The notices from the developer told them to pay an extra RM28,500 for a parking lot and RM60,00 for a renovation package.

The additional amounts raise the cost of their flats to RM168,000, a figure they totally reject as they do not agree with the additional sums demanded, which many say they cannot afford to pay.

The buyers bought the units at RM72,500 each after the 780-unit block - with a built-up space of 650sq ft each - was launched in 2008.

"Why is this happening to us? We cannot afford the extra cost, for we bought the units at RM72,500," lamented Norlida Masturo, 44.

The flats are expected to be ready for occupation next month.

State Housing Committee chairperson Jagdeep Singh ( left ) said a meeting would be arranged between the buyers and the developer soon.

Jagdeep also called on the developer “not to take the buyers for a ride”.

The group members said they would raise their problem with the Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Ministry if the state is not able to find a solution for them.