Friday, September 6, 2019

Landmark High Court decision against Malaysia Airlines empowers union leaders

Landmark High Court decision against Malaysia Airlines empowers union leaders: Judge Nordin Hassan orders MAS to pay compensation to Ismail Nasarudin for unlawful dismissal, saying it is all right for union leaders to issue press statements on workers’ plight.

HIDDEN COST OF AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN PENANG

PRESS RELEASE - HIDDEN COST OF AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN PENANG

MTUC Penang Division finds it completely unacceptable that the Penang state government has abdicated its moral responsibility in ensuring that developers, of low-cost and affordable homes, do not expliot the low and middle income wage earners by allowing such developers to coerce them to pay for add-ons.

On this score we wish to salute the Consumer Association Of Penang (CAP) for exposing the state of affairs.

Going by house buyers testimony, that they were made to fork out between RM120,000 to RM180,000 for their low-cost homes on account of the developers add ons, is nothing but day light robbery irrregardless of whether it was for a purchase of a parking lot or tilling work. In anycase the situation seems to indicate that the house buyers were left with no option to say that they do not need the such add ons.

As the testimony, of a RM42,000 house buyer stands, she was made to withdraw her entire savings to meet an additional payment of almost RM70,000 for a parking lot and a renovation package. This,  as we understand it, is explained by the Penang state government as an arrangement between the house buyer and the developer - a position that would seem acceptable except for the  question of where is the government's moral compass on ensuring the low and middle income wage earners protection to home ownership within the parameters so set by them! If a cost of a low cost house is RM42,000 or RM72,000  than it ought to be that and no developer should be permitted to impose any add ons. And, in our view, that responsibility falls on the shoulders of the state.

We, therefore, call upon the Penang state government to take a comprehensive review of the state of affairs with the objective to ensure that house buyers are protected from unscroplous developers. On this score we would implore the Penang state government to heed the CAP's views/input on the matter.


K.VEERIAH
Secretary
MTUC Penang Division
016 4184520
5.9.2019