The Penang government has denied claims in the media today that the state saw the highest cost of living which corresponded with the increase of property and land-related taxes since it took over from BN in 2008.

"The report is slanted and did not consider the measures taken by the Penang government to lower cost of living, including providing enough affordable housing for Penangites," state exco on housing Jagdeep Singh Deo told Malaysiakini, when contacted.

In The Sun Daily today, Harvard and Wharton-trained political economist Isham Jalil said the rise in such taxes has increased the cost of houses and business premises, and in turn increased the cost of goods and services...