Owner of superbikes says she’s qualified to live in LMC unit
GEORGE TOWN: A low medium-cost (LMC) apartment owner, who has two vehicles and three superbikes worth more than her unit, is maintaining that she is qualified to stay there.
The woman, who declined to be named, said she would come clean with the state housing department over the issue.
“I am a general clerk and eligible to stay here with my family.
“Only one of the bikes belongs to me and I went through the necessary process before being given a unit.
“I will furnish all my documents to the state government should the need arise,” she said when contacted yesterday.
She would also seek legal advice over the matter.
On Friday, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan claimed that several LMC units in Bukit Gambier here were being occupied by unqualified people.
Several vehicles and superbikes, some costing more than RM100,000, were found parked at the apartment block. Each unit is priced at RM72,500.
The superbikes parked in the LMC block were a BMW Motorrad GS that is worth RM114,900, a Triumph Street Triple (RM53,900) and a KTM 1050 Adventure (RM68,888).
Earlier, The Star reported that almost half of the 780 units in Tower A and Tower B were rented out, as alleged by a resident in February this year.
A unit owner claimed that many owners had leased out their units once the CFs for occupation were obtained for Tower A in October 2013 and Tower B in April 2014.
State Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said all LMC applicants must execute a Statutory Declaration (SD) that they were first-time housebuyers with an income not exceeding RM3,500.
“The state government can repossess the unit if they fail to follow the terms in the SD, which also stipulates that successful applicants must adhere to the 10-year moratorium.
“We can also take legal action against them under Section 193, 199 and 200 of the Penal Code for providing false information, which carries a three-year jail term, a fine, or both,” he told a press conference in Komtar yesterday.
Jagdeep said under the state housing policy, LMC unit owners were not allowed to rent out the units or turn them into homestays.
He said the issue of low-cost and LMC units being abused by those not eligible was not only in Penang but nationwide.
“The issue is not new as I raised it two years ago. We welcome any information on the suspected abuse which can then be forwarded to the Penang Housing Department.
“Such abuse will not be tolerated and the guilty parties must be brought to book,” he said.
Jagdeep said the state government also wanted such buyers to disclose their car ownership but the Road Transport Department was not extending its co-operation.