Penang S Indian Muslim Housing Discount Sparks Lawyer S Ire

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Human rights lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan has sharply criticised the Penang state government’s decision to offer an exclusive five percent housing and commercial property discount to Indian Muslims under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign (MOC), branding the move as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
“This initiative is deeply divisive, discriminatory, and unacceptable. It blatantly favours one particular race and religious group at the expense of others and runs contrary to the fundamental principles of fairness and equality that should govern public policy.
“Why is the Penang state government rewarding Indians who are of the Islamic faith and punishing those who are of the Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha’i or Sikh faith. If this is not discrimination, I don’t know what is,” he said.
Rajesh (above) contended that the policy breaches Articles 8(1) and 8(2) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantee all individuals equality before the law and equal protection under it.
He stressed that the constitution explicitly prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, or descent.
‘Withdraw policy’
Directing his criticism toward Penang housing and environment committee chairperson S Sundarajoo, Rajesh accused him of "practising state-sanctioned racial discrimination and setting a dangerous precedent which is wholly unconstitutional”.
Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the policy, Rajesh insisted that public funds and state-led initiatives must serve the interests of all Malaysians, without racial or religious bias.
“The DAP government must be reminded that it is duty-bound to uphold the constitution and not to undermine it with policies that promote racial and religious division.
“This is not an apartheid country where certain races are more equal than others,” he added.
Yesterday, Sundarajoo announced that the Penang government would grant a special five percent discount to Indian Muslims for residential and commercial properties under the MOC.
This initiative, introduced under the Madani Inclusive Property Sector Catalyst Policy, will run from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, with the stated goal of boosting property sales. - Mkini

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