Evicted families given 3 days to remove belongings from PPR flat

Some of the families who were evicted from their PPR units earlier this week. (Facebook pic)

GEORGE TOWN: The 22 families evicted from PPR residences in Penang have been given three days to remove their belongings from the vacated units.

State housing committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said they had been given until Monday to leave with their belongings.

“But this is for those who agreed to our terms,” he told FMT.

Units at the PPR flat, which cost RM124 to rent, are offered to those earning a household income of RM1,500 and below. The families were evicted on Wednesday after a one-week extension of an earlier eviction attempt.

They were evicted over longstanding arrears and for having incomes which exceed the limit for PPR units, as well as for marrying foreign spouses, among others.

The state government said it had notified the residents of the evictions as far back as six months ago.

However, their belongings are reportedly still in their units as residents claim “no time” was given for them to vacate their units.

Some of the families protested against what they called a “cruel” eviction, camping at the ground floor of Komtar, the Penang government’s state seat.

However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government was merely enforcing the law, and voiced regret that certain groups had claimed the evictions were made on racial grounds.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event here today, he said if his administration had not taken action, it would have been rapped by the auditor-general for improper management of the PPR units.

He added that the federal auditor had made negative remarks on Penang’s management of PPR housing before.

“The auditor-general even asked why the PPR units did not meet required standards, such as allowing those who are ineligible to stay there,” he said.

State executive councillor Abdul Halim Hussain said he had offered to put up “six to seven” evicted families at a nearby hotel.

However, he said they refused as they insisted on returning to the PPR flat.

He said the offer remains if they change their minds. - FMT