The government has been slammed for providing a loophole for developers to circumvent its ban on the construction of luxury properties.

Yesterday, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Noh Omar announced that the cabinet had set up a five-minister committee to review appeals from developers against the ban.

However, DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua said that this would open the appeals process to “sweet-talk”.

“Now, the ministers have granted themselves full discretionary powers to grant approval to any developer who can sweet-talk (his) way to win the hearts of the ministers,” Pua said...