DESA Wawasan Flats in Bukit Mertajam created its own history as the first People’s Housing Project (PPR) in the country to be directly awarded the services contract via its residents’ committee by the Penang government.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the contract was worth RM210,692.40 for cleaning and related services at Desa Wawasan Flats.
He said the services contract was for one year, starting from June 1 this year to May 31, 2021.
“This is the first time such contract is being given to the community itself because usually, we will award the contract to the relevant cleaning firm.
“The main reason is because the residents of Desa Wawasan Flats have shown us a very good example in terms of taking care of their premises from becoming filthy or overgrown with weeds.
“We also plan to make Desa Wawasan Flats as an example to other PPRs in the state and change the negative perception among the public about the cleanliness level in PPR’s premises.
“And of course, if residents of Desa Wawasan Flats manage to carry out the cleaning works successfully in their premises, there is no doubt that we will continue with the initiative.
“This applies to other PPRs and other housing projects in the state,” Jagdeep told reporters during the contract handover ceremony at the property today.
Also present were Padang Lalang assemblyman Chong Eng, who is also the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng and Desa Wawasan Flats Residents Association chairman Mohd Sanusi Ahmad.
According to Chong Eng, the contract handover is a joint collaboration between the state Housing Department and PWDC under the Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB).
“With GRPB, the main objective is to involve residents of Desa Wawasan Flats through community engagement to improve their quality of life,” she said.
Furthermore, Chong Eng said the contract handover also could provide job opportunities to the residents of Desa Wawasan while they maintain the cleanliness of the place.
“The residents here are the ones who will do the cleaning works and for that, the residents’ committee has already appointed 11 workers from among the residents.
“Thus, I hope that this appointment will instil a sense of responsibility in the residents here to upkeep their premises,” she added.
Regarding the repainting works at Desa Wawasan Flats, Jagdeep said it has reached 94 percent completion rate.
“The repainting works, which cost more than RM1.5 million, started since last July and is expected to be fully completed in the next two weeks,” he added.
Jagdeep said the state government has spent RM250.3 million since 2008 for the maintenance and upgrading works involving public and private housing.
“Among the maintenance projects are the repainting works, lift replacements, roof repairs, replacements of railings, wiring, pipes and many others.
“This shows the commitment of the state government in providing more conducive residential infrastructure for the well-being of the people,” Jagdeep added.
Jagdeep also revealed that the Federal Government has allocated RM20.76 million this year to Penang for maintenance works in public and private housing.
“The allocation is channelled through three main programmes which are Housing Maintenance Programme (PPP) involving 11 projects at a cost of RM9.5 million, Economic Stimulus Package (PRE) involving 12 projects which cost RM5.5 million and the Federal Malaysia Home Maintenance Fund (TPPM).
“Under TPPM, more than RM2.4 million is allocated to 10 projects under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and more than RM3.3 million allocated for 19 projects under MBSP,” he said.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal