Ahmad Zakiyuddin (second right) and Mohd Salem (right) handing over the mock keys of Selasih Court apartments to villagers of Kampung Mutiara.

By Joseph Wong

josephwong@thestar.com.my

GEORGETOWN: UDA Holdings Bhd (UDA), an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development, is working to improve the standard of living and lifestyle of villagers in Penang.

UDA, through its subsidiary of UDA Land North Sdn Bhd, handed over the keys of temporary residential units in Selasih Court to 75 villagers of Kampung Mutiara in Batu Ferringhi, Penang.

The handover ceremony was held at the courtyard of Selasih Court, Tanjung Tokong, Penang on Nov 26.

The ceremony was officiated by Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman and accompanied by Dr Aizi Razman Ismail, Deputy Director-General (Strategic Development) at Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, and UDA CEO Mohd Salem Kailany.

Mohd Salem said the Bumiputera Participation Coordination Division of the Prime Minister’s Department had invited UDA to submit a proposal for the development of Kampung Mutiara, which affected 75 villages residing there.

As an implementing agency of the government, UDA took steps to provide temporary homes at its own expense for the affected residents of Lots 39 and 40 in Kampung Mutiara.

Ahmad Zakiyuddin (7th right) and Mohd Salem (6th right) taking a group photo with the villagers of Kampung Mutiara after handing over the mock keys of Selasih Court to them

For this project, UDA plays a crucial role in resolving the resettlement issues of the villagers of Kampung Mutiara and the surrounding areas, he said.

At the same time, UDA has the opportunity to develop affordable housing in the form of apartment and condominium units.

The funding for the project is partially through the Federal Government via a soft loan while UDA will raise the rest.  The project is expected to take four years to be completed.

“UDA will provide 1,068 residential units, including 400 low-cost flats, 166 affordable apartment units and 502 apartment and condominium units.

“The 400 units of flats are to be allotted for free to residents of Kampung Mutiara, Kampung Che Ahmad, Kampung Din Bamboo and Kampung Kubur, who have been identified according to guidelines set by the Penang state government,” said Mohd Salem.

“The residents of Kampung Mutiara and the surrounding area will receive a more organised and comfortable 800 sq ft unit,” he said.

Mohd Salem hoped that this joint-venture project would shed new light on UDA to both the residents and the general public.

The move will strengthen UDA’s position and role as one of the Bumiputera agencies leading the development of Bumiputera settlements in Penang, he enthused.