THE Penang government has spent a total of RM297.57 million involving 32,582 maintenance works at both the public and private housing schemes from 2008 until April 1 this year.
State Local Government, Housing, Town, and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state had spent a total of RM52.59 million on the Penang Maximum 80% Maintenance Fund (TPM80PP), out from the total amount.
“We are always committed to maintaining the various housing schemes in the state.
“This involved a total of 317 applications made for 537 maintenance works, which have been carried out.
“These maintenance projects include the upgrading and replacing of lifts (316 projects) followed by water tank replacement and repair works (145 projects),” Jagdeep said in a press conference today.
Jagdeep added that the RM297.57 million spent also includes on the maintenance works for housing schemes under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP, RM25.54 million), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP, RM4.7 million) as well as the public housing schemes (RM214.72 million).
Jagdeep, nevertheless said the state government through the Penang Housing Board, has appealed to the Federal Government for an allocation of RM134.76 million this year.
“This is to cover the expenses of a total of 199 maintenance projects at both the public and private housing schemes.
“The allocation includes RM50.36 million for 73 maintenance projects under the ‘Program Penyelenggaraan Perumahan (PPP) and RM84.41 million for 126 maintenance projects under the ‘Tabung Penyelenggaraan Perumahan Malaysia’ (TPPM).
“Until March this year, the Federal Government has only approved a total of RM6.77 million for a total of 32 maintenance projects under the PPP and TPPM.
“Thus, the state government would like to appeal for more allocations to be channelled for the implementation of the various maintenance works,” he said.
Jagdeep, who visited the Taman Samak Flats said the state government has approved a total of RM93,120 from the TPM80PP fund for the piping system repair works. The total cost of the maintenance is RM116,400.
“As a state assemblyman for Datok Keramat, I will bear the remaining 20% which is equivalent to RM23,280,” he added.
Also present with Jagdeep was Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer.
Separately, Jagdeep also said that the state government was awaiting a response from the Federal Government concerning the provision of the various types of affordable housing schemes in Penang.
“The state government has so far built 140,000 low-cost (LC), low medium-cost (LMC) and affordable housing units.
“We hope that the Federal Government will assist us in providing various types of affordable housing schemes.
“We have informed them (Federal Government) that we have lands here meant for these projects, but we are still waiting for their feedback,” he said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi