Story and photos by Lim Chia Ying | Nov 24, 2009

Many PPR flat dwellers cannot afford to buy units

Making ends meet: Kariline (left) and S. Kali Rani say they make meagre income from their smalltime businesses.

MANY residents living at Public Housing Project (PPR) units in Kuala Lumpur are struggling to find ways to buy the units when the good news was announced recently.

The reality is that there are many out there who are unable to afford the various fees that come with it.

StarMetro visited the PPR Pudu Ulu in Cheras recently to interview some of the residents dubbed as “special cases”, as they are either too old to get a loan, with an income, long retired, single, or depend on monthly welfare aid.

Ho Fook Thai, 82, is one who depends on well-wishers for money for her daily expenses as her age renders her helpless and she has two sons to care for.

Her eldest son, 62, is diagnosed with Down Syndrome, while the younger one works as an odd-job labourer without a stable salary.

“I’m not able to buy my own home as much as I want to. It’s just too difficult,” said Ho.

Another resident Lai Lee Wah, 70, is now staying alone after his wife died.

“I may have to consider giving up (buying) as I’m not capable of paying the upfront fees and maintenance charges later on,” said Lai, who is unsure and worried if he will be asked to vacate the place in future.

Bachelor Choong Faa Sin, 59, who works as a contract worker, said he was not given the application form because he was single.

His only relative is a sister working in Singapore.

Another singleton, who declined to be named, said while her sisters’ (who stay in the same PPR as her) applications had been approved, she had not got the green light just because she was single.

Then there is also Ng Ah Moi, who depends on monthly welfare aid as well as donations from church-goers to survive.

S. Kali Rani K. Samuel, 40, related her problem about her sick husband and that she was ill, too.

“I cannot afford the fees and charges.

“I sell nasi lemak below our flats but the authorities often come and disturb my business.

“It’s my only source of income but they take that away, too.

Can’t afford it: Ho depends on well-wishers for money for her daily expenses.

“How else am I able to earn a living if the authorities clamp down our small-time business every time?” she said.

Kariline Savariyar, 43, said she had to manage by selling newspapers to pay off her monthly rent.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said a lot of fees charged during the loan agreement and sales and purchase signing would only burden the poor.

“For example, the monthly maintenance fees (between RM50 and RM60) is higher than even some of the private flats I know,” said Tan, claiming that maintenance charges have to be collected six months in advance.

“There is also the payment of strata title, which is charged upon the residents.

“Can the developer, i.e. the government in this case, absorb the cost?” said Tan.

He also urged the government to apply for the strata title for the PPRs, so that residents could be assured that their house price will not be affected adversely in future.

“There are PPRs since the 80s that have not received their strata titles till today.

“Moreover, there will also be a small percentage of residents who continue renting, which also hinders attainment of strata titles.

“In this case, the payment should be exempted until strata titles are obtained,” he said.

He also asked why were residents restricted to a panel of banks and lawyers for their loans.

“Residents should be allowed to use their own banks to enjoy better interest rates, and their own lawyers since some may not even charge certain fees out of sympathy,” said Tan.

Many of the residents also hoped that the rental fees that have been paid for over the years can be used as downpayment for the home.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said his ministry would try to arrange some support for the hardcore poor who found it hard to afford the units.

Asked as to why single people are “left out” in the application or approval process yet many of them have been long-time residents in the PPR, Raja Nong Chik replied that consideration would be given to singles aged 40 and above.

On some of the high costs that residents have to bear, he said the government would be reducing some of the extra costs as announced earlier and that the costs are part of the loan which residents therefore need not have to pay.

“Also, since all costs are included, residents should be able to obtain their strata titles within a year,” he added, when told about several long-time PPRs that have yet to receive their strata titles.

On the panel of banks condition, Raja Nong Chik said the residents need not use the panel which mightnot give 100% loan and whose charges were higher.