Buyers feel cheated after 'UNLUCKY DRAW' for 1Malaysia homes

The ongoing unit allocationfor house buyers under the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) in Presint 11, Putrajaya today was a picture of chaos after buyers complained that the method earlier promised in allocating the units had not been adhered to.

Many of the 560 purchasers who were told to select their units since Monday have complained over the manner in which the units were allocated.

Under the programme, two types of houses are offered – type A with a size of 1006 square feet has 140 units and priced at RM150,000, while type B measuring 815 square feet has 420 units, priced at RM120,000.

Buyers were earlier told that their units would be decided based on a lucky draw.

However, what transpired was early birds had snatched up all the sort after type A units, leaving the rest with type B.

And making matters worse was poor customer service. Buyers claimed that one officer was overheard threatening house buyers to make their selection or risk not owning a PR1MA house.

“We are helpless as we just follow instruction,” said an officer.

Buyers pointed out that they would not mind being given type B houses as long as the lucky draw was fair.

“It is understandable that everybody wants a bigger house,” said a buyer.

Many expressed surprise that they had to fork out money in spite of prime minister Najib Razak’s promise that no deposit was needed to own a house under PR1MA.

They were told to pay 10 percent deposit and RM450 for processing fees excluding legal fees and other 'hidden costs'.

One disappointed buyer said Najib and Tengku Adnan Mansor, the member of parliament for Putrajaya, should step in and instruct PR1MA chief executive officer Abdul Mutalib Alias to restart the whole selection process through the lucky draw system.

Another buyer pointed out that information obtained from Putrajaya Corporation showed that the land for the houses was actually gazetted for affordable low cost housing project ranging from RM45,000 to RM100,000.

“When it was changed to PR1MA, the affordable house now sells above RM100,000,” he added.

-Harakahdaily