Selangor executive councillor Teng Chang Khim denied that the 10 percent bumiputera discount in the state has been abolished for the purchase of certain properties.

Instead, he said prices were made uniform for certain properties under the state's affordable housing programme whereby the 10 percent discount would apply to all.

The property types include serviced apartments, Soho (small office home office) and Sovo (small office versatile office).

"We have reduced the proposed price for Soho and Sovo properties under the affordable category.

"We offer this to low and middle-income groups, so there is no reason for bumiputera to be given discount and non-bumiputera not to receive discount because they are equally poor.

"There is no issue of it (bumiputera discount) being abolished but we reduce the prices across the board to make them uniform," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

He was asked to respond to a front-page Nanyang Siang Pau report today, which claimed the 10 percent bumiputera discount would be abolished for certain properties.

However, the quota for 30 percent bumiputera ownership will be retained.

Teng said the new affordable housing policy would be in force effective Sept 1.

He described it as a "win-win-win" situation for the state government, developers and buyers.

Last week, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali announced that the state government would be introducing affordable services apartment, Soho and Sovo units.

He said this affordable units would comprise between 10 and 30 percent of mixed-use developments.

They will be priced under RM250,000 and will have a size of between 450 sq ft and 550 sq ft and is open to those with an monthly income of less than RM15,000.

The initial report about an abolition of bumiputera discount had led several Malay Muslim NGOs to demand for answers.

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman had questioned why the Selangor government would make such a move in a time of rising property prices.

"Property prices these days are so expensive that people can't even afford the discounted prices.

"If it (discount) is abolished without any substitute (policy), then the bumiputera community would fall behind," he said.

Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Mapim) president Azmi Abdul Hamid had likewise demanded an explanation.

"Explain the rationale, what is the basis to terminate the discount – explain it to the people of Selangor," he said, adding that the bumiputera community, particularly in the cities, still needed help with getting a home.

Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram) Zaid Kamaruddin also urged the Selangor government to clarify the matter.