The Penang Housing Department has denied allegations of corrupt practices in obtaining low-cost houses, following claims in a video clip that surfaced in a pro-BN Facebook page on Sunday.

The video clip featured DAP Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Lim Siew Khim’s father with several individuals who claimed they paid money to obtain state-built housing units.

Yesterday, the assemblywoman denied that she was involved in the matter, saying she had no idea of her father’s movements or dealings.

Today, state executive councillor for town and country planning and housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo, said he viewed seriously such insinuation made by Gerakan, which raised the issue yesterday.

At a press conference yesterday, Gerakan state acting vice-chairperson Oh Tong Keong (photo) showed a five-minute video clip, in which several individuals were featured trying to reclaim monies they paid to certain individuals for public housing units.

Jagdeep advised members of the public to be cautious of persons claiming that they could circumvent the housing selection process.

“If they are any queries, whatsoever, they should communicate with me directly, or with any of my officers,” Jagdeep said at a press conference in George Town today.

He urged those who paid money to obtain low-cost houses to lodge police reports, adding that he would personally communicate with the state chief police officer, Abdul Ghafar Rajab, to investigate the matter thoroughly and expeditiously.

“Such incidents have happened before. In March, several individuals lodged police reports,” he said.

'Insinuations wholly baseless'

Jagdeep said such insinuations were “wholly baseless and scandalous in nature", and they amount to be “highly defamatory” of the Penang government, in particular the Selection Process Enhancement Committee (SPEC) and government officials in the Penang Housing Department.

“Any insinuations that the system in place allows for payment of any monies by individuals to secure a housing unit is clearly misplaced and mischievous,” said Jagdeep, who is also DAP’s Dato Keramat assemblyperson.

“Such allegations are a disservice to all those who have been waiting this long and are eligible for such housing.

“Such deserving eligible applicants must be constantly reminded that their interests are being given paramount consideration, not the untruths being fed, such as payments of money can secure public housing,” Jagdeep said.

He said that when he was appointed to his post, he had applied the CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) principle to strengthen the process of selection of individuals by the state for public housing unit approvals.

Prior to his appointment to head the state housing committee, the selection was conducted by officers of the Penang Housing Department who determined eligibility based on particulars of the applicants through their applications submitted via Form PN1.

Since his tenure, the RM1 payment for Form PN1 has been abolished. “Not even one sen will be collected by the Penang government,” Jagdeep said.

He said he formed the SPEC in August 2013 comprising of eight elected representatives to oversee the selection process in meetings held at least once a month.