The Malaysian Insight

THE Penang government today suggested that Malaysia consider a new law that requires foreign workers to be housed in designated accommodations, like hostels or dorms.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the country should consider introducing a new law like what Singapore has done.

“We hope the state and federal governments have the courage to introduce this reform to address and handle (foreign worker housing) issues properly,” he said at the opening of Penang’s first dorm for foreign workers – Westlite Accommodations in Simpang Ampat today.

The RM72.3 million new dorm has 6,600 beds, and various facilities including a supermarket, mini market, food court, barbershop, and internet service.

It will be open to its first batch of occupants next month, serving the industrial areas of Bukit Minyak and Batu Kawan.

The new dorm is run by Centurion Corporation, a Singaporean company that owns and manages worker and student accommodations in several countries, including Johor in Malaysia, UK, US and Australia.

Chow said locals have complained for many years about having foreign workers living in their neighbourhoods and the social problems caused.

Having specially built dorms that cater to foreign workers would help address the social ills and concerns of locals, he said.

Chow also said he has directed the state investment arm, Penang Development Corporation, to look into available land in Batu Kawan for more foreign worker housing projects.

“There are buffer requirements, meaning that we cannot build the dorms next to factories. But there is still land in Batu Kawan for investors to build dorms that cater to the needs of factories there.

“It’s not too late to build in Batu Kawan. We are not looking for big pieces of land,” he said.

Chow added that the state planning committee also discussed the matter in its meeting yesterday, approving another six hostel projects for foreign workers.

Two projects are on Penang island while the rest are on the mainland. One other project is still pending approval, as the request for proposal had just closed. All seven are expected to be ready in two to three years’ time.

Chow said hopefully, Penang would no longer face issues of foreign workers living in residential areas and causing problems for locals there.

He also said having designated housing for foreign workers could also help authorities distinguish between those working here with proper work permits and those who were here illegally.

The dorms would only admit foreign workers with work permits, he said.

State housing exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said there are 97,000 registered foreign workers in Penang.

Centurion accommodation business managing director Tony Bin said factories or employers will directly  deal with his company to get dorm accommodations for their workers.

He said the average rent is RM130 a month for a bed. – January 29, 2019.