UDA will spend RM280mil to build more than 2,000 units of flats size of 850sq in Tanjung Tokong

The Government-linked Urban Development Authority (UDA) Holdings Bhd plans to spend RM280mil to build over 2,000 flats in Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who tweeted this, said that the residents of Tanjung Tokong would be pleased with his announcement.

“UDA will spend RM280mil to build more than 2,000 units of flats at (a size) of 850sq ft in Tanjung Tokong. The people are happy,” Najib said in his tweet.

The tweet was posted by him following his half-day working visit to Tanjung Tokong.

During the visit, he joined state Barisan chairman Teng Chang Yeow and other Barisan leaders to visit 300 families living in transit homes by UDA. They were relocated from the former fishing colony of Kampung Tanjung Tokong.

UDA Holdings chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, in a later statement, thanked Najib for his encouragement to UDA so it could settle the housing issue of the families.

The issue had plagued the village for some 40 years.

“I also would like to thank the state government for their cooperation in helping UDA redevelop this area,” Nur Jazlan said.

He also said that UDA would be building the first phase which consists of some 1,200 units of affordable homes worth RM160mil for those affected by redevelopment plans.

The remaining RM120mil will be utilised to build 800 more flats in the future.

The folk will receive the units for free just as what was promised by the country’s second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, some 40 years ago.

“The redevelopment idea as well as the upgrading of the Kampung Tanjung Tokong under UDA was conceived by (the late) Tun Abdul Razak back in 1972,” said Nur Jazlan, adding that it was aimed at establishing a modern Malay settlement in George Town.

“His promise to the villagers is being fulfilled by his own son, the current Prime Minister.

“This marks a milestone not only for the people of Tanjung Tokong but also the country,” said Nur Jazlan.

Nur Jazlan said that the redevelopment plan proved that political differences could be set aside for the benefit of the people.

He added that the success of the plan opened up more opportunities for UDA to collaborate with the state, especially on building more affordable homes.

He added that UDA was committed to fulfilling the promises made and he hoped that it would receive cooperation from the people. - By HAFIZ MARZUKHI (The Star)