THE ineligible tenants of Taman Manggis People’s Housing Project (PPR) have lost their qualification to occupy the PPR units, but that does not mean that they have lost everything.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said those who had lost their qualification to occupy PPR units could still apply for other affordable housing scheme such as low-cost (LC), low medium-cost (LMC) and affordable housing projects in Penang.
“They have lost their qualification to occupy PPR units, but they might be qualified for LC or LMC.
“However, their application will be subjected to their eligibility. Homes offered by the Government are not for you to profit from.
“The PPR scheme is only a ‘transit’. They (the ineligible tenants) did not follow up with a permanent relocation facility.
“We hope that these ineligible tenants can accept the fact that they have lost their qualification to occupy the PPR units; and start looking for other affordable housing scheme that suit their qualification,” Chow told a press conference after opening the 9th Penang Affordable Housing Expo at Mydin Bukit Mertajam today.
He said that the state has provided various types of affordable housing scheme.
“While the state can plan and provide affordable homes for its people; these tenants have to also plan for their future. How do they want to solve this problem?” Chow questioned.
On claims that the eviction were unlawful, Chow responded that the state shall ‘wait and see’.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the Penang government had relentlessly appealed to the previous Federal Government to build more PPR units in Penang.
“Penang has the least number of PPR units in Malaysia, only 999 units!
“I spoke to former Housing Ministers Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Tan Sri Noh Omar. They promised that they will come to Penang and build more PPR projects, but they did not keep their promise. Janji tak ditepati, janji kosong sahaja (Promise not fulfilled, only empty-promise).
“After we won the 14th General Election, I went to the Housing Ministry and met with the Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.
“She immediately approved the PPR project in Jelutong. We are about to have 2,000 new PPR units in Jelutong soon.
“I have also sent a list of proposed locations to build PPR units for the ministry to consider.
“I also want PPR units to be available in other districts. The locations are now being considered by the ministry,” Jagdeep said.
He said that he has a long list of qualified PPR applicants.
“Almost 1,200 applicants, with almost 800 applicants in the northeast district.
“Most applicants who applied for PPR units in the northeast district applied for Taman Manggis PPR. The applicants have waited for more than 10 years!
“And we have tenants who have lost their qualification occupying these PPR units; ineligible tenants such as those who have other homes, have managed to improve their financial status, and those who sublet their units.
“Is this fair? I would be failing in my duty if I do nothing.
“The rakyat must know that there are people who want to spin and politicise this issue.
“I pity those families that are being victimised by these people. We are here to help.
“Two days ago, state executive council member Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain met them (the ineligible Taman Manggis tenants) in Komtar. He was there to inform them that there are temporary shelters available for them until things can move forward.
“Why did they refuse? It is not that the state did not try to help them. We have to be clear on this.
“This is the fact,” Jagdeep said.
He said the state genuinely wants to help the people.
Also present was state executive council member Dr Afif Bahardin.
Visitors can check out 19 affordable housing projects, consist of 4,175 units, during the three-day expo which started on March 8.
Eleven private housing developers took part in the expo.
Chow and Jagdeep also presented offer letters to successful LC and LMC applicants, as well as invitation letters to Taman Manggis PPR applicants for them to attend an interview.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud