The Malaysian Insight

PENANG’S authorities will not be deterred from taking stern action against those who abuse the public housing schemes, which are reserved for the state’s poorest, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said such homes rented out cheaply are “not free homes” for anyone to occupy.

Ideally, those renting PPR (public housing) units should only occupy the government-owned units for five years, said Chow.

“It is the government’s hope that within five years, the PPR tenants will improve their economic status and income to afford the rental of better homes or even buy their own,” Chow said.

“PPR units are for the poorest people, but they also have the responsibility to pay the RM100 monthly rent and RM28 maintenance fee. PPR units are not free homes,” he told a press conference at Komtar today.

Chow was asked to comment on a group of tenants at the Taman Manggis PPR flats who are fighting their eviction.

Earlier this morning, emotions ran high at the flat when state housing department officers went to lock up the affected units. As Chow spoke to the press, a group of the tenants sat outside Komtar to protest.

Chow is MP of Tanjong, the area where the PPR flat is located.

He said there were strict requirements and conditions linked to the income, nationality, and others, to be met by people who want to rent PPR units.

Failure to meet the conditions would make them ineligible to live there.

“Action is being taken because some conditions had been violated. These homes are meant for Malaysians only, but some are also occupied by foreigners.”

Chow also said the authorities’ eviction of the tenants was not unwarranted, as there was a long waiting list for PPR housing.

“In the Taman Manggis case, over 400 people have been waiting to get a unit to rent since the flat was completed 11 years ago,” he said.

“At the same time, some of the existing tenants there are still the same people who had moved in 11 years ago.

“Some don’t appreciate the chance that had been given to them, and have continued to stay there all these years, not giving others who earn low income a chance.”

Chow said the state was still willing to listen to appeals from the tenants if their cases were genuine.

He added that the public could make their own judgments on the situation after the affected tenants hurled abuse at the state government and their elected representative. – March 6, 2019.