KOTA KINABALU – Residents of Rumah Pangsa Tg Aru here have taken the state Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB) to task for allegedly being unconscionable in wanting to evict them amid the pandemic and hard times.
A member of an action bureau set up by the flat owners said the agency has strayed from its purpose of providing housing to Sabahans by telling the residents here to move out, after many have lost their jobs and are finding it tough to make ends meet.
“The way they are doing things clearly shows they have no brains. When we got the units there were many procedures to be fulfilled, but now they want us to move out just like that.
“Everyone is troubled by the pandemic. Obviously, this is not the right to evict people. But they are asking us to get out without giving us any alternative solutions, like a new apartment,” said one of the residents at a press conference held at the Tg Aru state assemblyman’s office yesterday.
“The cost of relocating would also be a burden to residents, who are mostly from the low-income bracket,” the resident claimed.
Another angry resident claimed that the way LPPB is going about the issue is unprofessional, adding that their quality of work is like “those who are still in school”.
Resident Andrew Chong said LPPB has not provided any evidence that the buildings are truly unsafe.
“There is no engineer’s report or certificate from the Public Works Department that deem the building to be unsafe,” said Chong, adding that the “government should not be doing anything for profit”.
Also present at the press conference were Tg Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong and Putatan MP Awang Hussaini Sahari, who are both opposition lawmakers.
Lead talks with residents, not just serve notice
LPPB had on May 24 issued a notice telling residents to vacate due to the safety reasons, saying the 50-year-old buildings are no longer safe and the cost for maintaining all 11 blocks had become expensive.
There are 351 units at Rumah Pangsa Tg Aru.
The residents, led by Dewi Awang, said a discussion should be held between LPPB and the residents to resolve the matter.
She said that some of the reasons provided by LPPB do not make any sense, adding that none of the buildings would be defective if they were well maintained.
She said LPPB has not performed maintenance for the units over the last 15 years, adding most of the maintenance is done by the residents and the costs, covered by them.
“We have been living here for generations. The maintenance stopped 15 years ago. When we ask LPPB to repair damages, no action was taken.
“But LPPB is quick to ask for the monthly rental, which is around RM170 a month,” said Dewi. She stressed that LPPB should have a discussion with them to resolve the problems.
The residents also noted that LPPB did not take action against those who had illegally taken over some flats.
There are instances of some residents who are able to afford expensive cars but live in the low-cost flats, as well as original tenants renting out their units to family members.
‘Move out by year-end’
Meanwhile, LPPB chairman Datuk Masiung Banah said tenants have until the end of the year to move out.
He maintained that LPPB is not evicting them, but giving them an early notice for them to make preparations to move out.
“LPPB is trying to create some options for the tenants but it is up to them whether to cooperate or not. If we give options and they don’t cooperate, it would be difficult,” he said.
“LPPB, being the land owner and house owner, is liable to be sued if anything were to happen to the tenants, such as injury due to structural failure,” he said.
“We are aware of the current economic situation and also of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will assist where we can but at the same time they (tenants) will also have to find their means,” he said.
He said priority will be given to those who fulfil the requirements, such as senior citizens, the disabled and the underprivileged.
Masiung also noted that households with incomes of less than RM3,000, as well as pensioners and single women, will be considered for alternative housing.
He said the blocks are in poor condition leading to many problems, including sewerage and structural problems. – The Vibes, May 28, 2021
