SANDAKAN – Residents of the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Sabah are in a state of panic following a viral evacuation notice from the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) on social media yesterday.
According to the circular dated June 19, 2023, residents who have resided in their PPR units for more than ten years have been given a three-month deadline to vacate their homes.
The circular specifies that tenants who have rented PPR homes for over a decade must find alternative housing options and settle any outstanding rental payments with LPPB to avoid future blacklisting.
The circular cites a reminder from the National Audit Department, based on the PPR rental guidelines for Sabah established by the Housing Unit and Squatter Settlement Unit under the Sabah Local Government and Housing Ministry in February 2012.
“In light of this, you are provided with a three-month period to vacate the premises and return the house to LPPB, allowing individuals on the waiting list an opportunity to rent the PPR,” the circular, signed by LPPB Asset, Reselling, and Marketing manager Rafidah Mohd Arif, read.
Several Umno leaders in Sabah swiftly expressed their concerns regarding this issue.
Libaran MP, Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, deemed the eviction of PPR residents unreasonable and cruel. He argued that LPPB should offer a second chance to those residing in PPR homes for over ten years, particularly since many of them belong to the B40 group and cannot afford alternative housing.
“This only adds to the people’s burden, especially in times of inflation,” Suhaimi said in a statement.
He suggested that instead of asking people to vacate their homes, the government should construct additional PPR housing units to address the lengthy waiting list.
Suhaimi clarified that this matter solely affects PPR units managed by LPPB and not the Local Government Development Ministry, assuaging concerns raised by PPR residents in his areas.
Jeffrey Noor Mohmed, who is the Putatan Umno division chief, denounced LPPB’s actions as inhumane.
He argued that the audit department’s reminder held no basis, citing the Housing and Town Development Authority Enactment 1981, Article 37, which assigns the audit department’s responsibility solely to auditing LPPB without the authority to determine policies to be followed by the body.
“Why should LPPB adhere to the audit department’s reminder when the actual authority lies with the Sabah Local Government and Housing Ministry? Even if it were a rule, the Sabah government should explain the situation to the audit department and defend the PPR occupants, most of whom belong to the B40 group,” Jeffrey said in his statement.
According to sources, affected tenants are located in the Kota Kinabalu area, including Taman Jaya Diri, Tg Aru, and Inanam Laut.
Meanwhile, Calvin Chong, the Elopura assemblyman from Warisan, voiced his disbelief at the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah state government’s decision to evict people from their homes, even though his constituents are not affected.
“Has GRS ever considered the well-being of our Sabahans? How will people manage to secure the deposit for a new house within three months?” Calvin asked.
The Vibes is currently reaching out to tenants and relevant authorities on the matter. – The Vibes, June 22, 2023
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