The Malaysian Insight

THE lack of a solution for some of the evicted Taman Manggis PPR (public housing) flat families saw Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s political secretary and Penang Bersatu youth chief ambushed at Komtar.

They were at Komtar this evening to meet with state authorities to find a solution to the issue that has been widely played up by anti-Pakatan Harapan quarters on social media.

Abu Bakar Yahya, Dr Mahathir’s political secretary, said rules have to be followed and the decision was up to the state.

“We have to respect the state government and the housing authorities. They had taken action (to evict) because they had certain reasons.

“I am just here to get the report on the situation,” he told reporters after meeting the state authorities.

Abu Bakar, who is also a Bersatu supreme council member, also briefly met the six families that have been camping out at Komtar to protest against their eviction since yesterday.

Asked what could be done for them, Abu Bakar said there are welfare bodies that can assist them.

“We have welfare organisations. They won’t be neglected if they cooperate. We need their cooperation,” he said.

As Abu Bakar started to leave, some of the residents and anti-PH individuals supporting the families shouted after him, demanding for a solution, and tried to follow him to the indoor parking lot at Komtar.

When they could not get to him, they gathered at the exit of the parking lot, attempting to block his car from leaving. Abu Bakar was trapped in the parking lot for some 15 minutes.

As they blocked the exit, supporters of the families – known Barisan Nasional supporters like blogger Mamu Parpu, and some PAS members – made speeches condemning the authorities and the government for failing to take care of the people.

They even brought a lorry with loudspeakers for the “ceramah”.

“We are not terrorists. We just want homes. Where are these people suppose to go?

“CM (Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow) has to answer,” Penang Surplus Welfare Association chief Sofian Mohd Zin said.

The mob grew roudy when Shameer Sulaiman, the state Bersatu youth chief, tried to reason with them at the car park exit.

Some from the mob approached him in a rough manner, prompting the police to step.

When Shameer was given a microphone, he told the angry and emotional crowd that Bersatu was trying its best to address the matter.

“Please be calm. Please give us some time. Things are being worked out,” he said.

The mob shouted back: “How much time? How many days sleeping at Komtar?”

Shameer had to be escorted from Komtar in a police car. Shortly later, Abu Bakar’s car finally left the car park.

Meanwhile, state welfare exco Phee Boon Poh said the Anjung Singgah halfway home could take in the family that has eight children.

But he said the temporary housing was only for the Malaysian mother and her Malaysian children.

The woman is married to an Indonesian man. Some of their children are not citizens.

The state housing authorities had recently issued notices to 22 tenants at the Taman Manggis PPR flats after they lost their eligibility to live in the units meant for the poor.

PPR tenants lose their eligibility to stay at the units, where the monthly rental is RM100, when they fail to pay rent and accumulate arrears; when their income has exceeded the income cap for eligible tenants; when they are found to own property or if they are married to foreigners.

Yesterday, Chow said demonstrations would not deter enforcement action. He said there was also a long waiting list of needy applicants waiting to rent PPR units. – March 7, 2019.