GEORGE TOWN, Feb 17 — Approval for affordable housing projects in Penang will be treated equally, the Pakatan Harapan state government asserted today.

State executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo said he was surprised that Penang Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman had asked for "special treatment” for federal government agencies to get approvals.

"There are no special treatment, not even for federal government agencies because all developers must comply with our affordable housing guidelines regardless,” he told a news conference at his office in Komtar here.

Yesterday, Zainal had asked the state to give federal agencies "fast track approvals” so that they could build more affordable housing in Penang.

The Penang Umno liaison chief claimed that the state government had three "lanes” of approvals, first is a special lane for selected developers, second is a normal lane for other developers and the third is the slow lane for federal government agencies.

"What lanes is he talking about? There is only one lane; everyone must comply with our guidelines. We treat everyone equally,” Jagdeep said.

He demanded that Zainal reveal the names of the developers he claimed are in the "special fast track lane”.

"Tell me who are the developers? Don’t simply make allegations like this,” he said.

The housing development committee chairman added that the state government has always given fast track approvals to affordable housing projects as long as they comply with all of the state’s guidelines.

"I’ve no grievances against any federal agency but I’ve grievances with any party that fails to comply with the guidelines of affordable housing,” he said.

He also said that he operates an "open door policy” so those facing issues in obtaining approvals due to inability to meet the guidelines could talk to him.

"We will gladly assist any federal agency to help them meet these guidelines so that they can get approvals for their projects,” he said.

He said yesterday, the state planning committee held a technical meeting and the committee approved a Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) project because they had met with all requirements.

"It wasn’t postponed or delayed, we approved immediately,” he said.

He welcomed federal agencies to submit applications for approvals for more affordable housing projects in the state.

"Zainal said they want to build over 56,000 units of affordable housing, they are most welcomed to apply for approvals and we will even help them to meet with all state requirements to get approvals,” he said.

Among the affordable housing guidelines set by the state are the unit prices that must be set at below RM300,000 on the island and below RM250,000 on the mainland.