KUALA LUMPUR: Following the eviction of 22 families from the Taman Manggis People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Penang, PPR residents here have questioned how they had obtained those units in the first place.
In the Klang Valley, they said, applicants have to go through a strict vetting process before they are allowed to rent these low-cost units.
A tenant at the Sri Melaka PPR in Cheras, Shuriayana Shafie, applied for a unit as a single mother.
“Most of the tenants or lease owners are from households with low income and those who had to vacate their previous settlements to make way for development projects.
“Others include the disabled and victims of tragedies such as fires or floods,” said Shuriayana, who has been staying in her unit for 20 years.
She said the government needs to look into the “genuine” cases among the 22 families evicted from the Taman Manggis PPR.
“Some of them are elderly citizens. How do you expect them to look for a place to stay?”
While Shuriayana sympathised with the families, she said that at the Sri Melaka PPR in Cheras, where she lives, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would only cut off the supply of water and electricity as a warning to those who had overdue payments.
“The worst that can happen would be to have their water supply cut. When that happens, the tenant who has overdue bills will pay up.
“I have not come across an eviction like the Penang case,” she said.
According to Shuriayana, DBKL officers conduct spot checks to ensure that there are no “illegal” tenants.
“The waiting list is very long, some have been appealing for more than 10 years.
“Many on the waiting list really need a place to stay. DBKL ensures that proper documents are submitted so there will not be problems when it is time to consider their applications.
“Also, if DBKL discovers that a non-spouse is staying in a unit, they will issue a notice to the tenant to vacate. Usually, such tenants don’t stay long here,” she said.
Shuriayana said the transfer of a unit to the next of kin is only allowed when they do not own another property.
“If the owner of the lease has four children and all four already own properties, DBKL will take back the unit,” she said.
On reports that one of those evicted from the Taman Manggis PPR could afford a business class air ticket for an overseas trip, Shuriayana said most of the PPR residents were “ordinary” people.
“When we first started living in this PPR (Sri Melaka), we were not well to do. But over the years, people’s lives do improve.
“For some, it could be because their children managed to secure good-paying jobs.
“I don’t see any harm if our children want to spend on us. Although my children are able to pay for my travel expenses, it does not mean that they can afford to buy a house for me. That is why I still have a place in this PPR,” she said.
‘Political connections’
Another resident at the same PPR claimed that there was no fixed system on how the units were allotted to applicants.
The resident, who requested anonymity, said some have strong political connections.
“The units are not allotted based on needs. If an applicant is a fire or flood victim, then I think you can’t argue that he or she needs a place immediately.
“When I applied for a unit, I was put on a long waiting list. But I knew people with links to politicians and they helped me by issuing a recommendation letter. I got the unit within a month.”
Azlina Arbain, who lives at the Pudu Ulu PPR, also said the government should investigate how the 22 Taman Manggis families were allotted the PPR units.
Azlina, a committee member of the Pudu Ulu Community Association, said only family members registered with DBKL are allowed to stay in PPR flats.
“The regulations are very strict. Whoever owns a lease contract would need to register their family members with DBKL. Only those whose names are on a green card are allowed to stay in the unit.
“There are cases where the lease owners rent out their units to outsiders but they are reported almost immediately to DBKL.
“The tenant and the lease owner can both be evicted if found to have breached the lease contract,” she said.
Azlina moved into the Pudu Ulu PPR more than 20 years ago following a squatter resettlement exercise. As a volunteer with the community association, she works closely with the community to identify those in need of affordable accommodation.
“We refer those who are genuinely in need of the PPR units to DBKL and we also report to them if we find that a resident has obtained tenancy without following proper procedures,” she said.
She said it is compulsory to register a next of kin with DBKL for those who opt to buy a PPR unit.
“This will allow the next of kin to take over repayment of any outstanding loan. However, there are cases where they try to cheat,” she said.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was reported to have said the Taman Manggis PPR is meant as transit housing and is not meant for permanent occupation.
He said the flats were meant for those who were resettled and waiting for their houses to be completed. - FMT
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