By CHOONG MEK ZHIN | Dec 15, 2009
Don’t delay moving squatters, says DBKL
DELAYING the move to shift squatters to the Public Housing Projects (PPR) is wasting a lot of taxpayers’ money as it takes about RM5,000 a year to maintain each unit that has not been handed over.
“The maintenance cost is very high and we have to keep the units in good condition until the squatters move in,” Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) deputy director-general (services) Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz said.
So far, about 2,000 units are not occupied and another 5,600 have been completed but have not been handed over to DBKL.
Amin was speaking at a press conference where it was announced that 396 squatter families in seven areas in Kuala Lumpur will be evacuated starting with 23 families from Kampung Tanah Lapang today.
“City Hall will help them by providing manpower and vehicles to move their belongings which will be transported straight to the units given to them,” he said, adding that the police will be on hand during the operation.
The squatters from Kampung Tanah Lapang are given units in PPR Batu Muda. Seventeen families from Jalan 2 Chan Sow Lin squatters and 58 families from Kampung Landasan Keretapi will move to PPR Raya Permai. Forty families from Ladang Bukit Jalil squatters, 131 families from Batu 2 1/2 Jalan Cheras squatters and 48 families from Rumah Panjang Seri Johor 4AB will move to PPR Muhibbah and 79 families from Kampung Kerinchi Bukit B squatters will move to PPR Cempaka.
Amin added that they had had many meetings with the squatter representatives and MPs of the areas affected.
“We have delayed the move as requested and now ask the cooperation of all parties to move out. Most of them have already collected the keys to their units and we expect to complete moving them by end of this month,” Amin said.
He added that they had to follow the policies set by the government and were aiming to achieve the zero squatter scheme by the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry by the middle of 2010.
“All squatters have been given the option to buy or rent the units we provide. The price for a three- bedroom unit is only RM35,000 and is much cheaper than units offered privately,” Amin said, adding that the amenities provided were of good quality.
More than 12,000 squatters have been moved so far and according to him, have adjusted very well.
There are still 4,789 squatter families left in Kuala Lumpur.
“We have also issued notices to commercial squatters to move out and will be taking further action soon on the issue,” Amin said.
Regarding the issue of Kampung Tanah Lapang’s remaining 23 squatters who does not wish to move out, he said it was not possible as the area had been earmarked for a Green Zone where trees would be planted.
For those who want to find out if they are involved in the current operation, contact the Safety and Enforcement Department at 03-4026 7252 and questions about individual units should be directed to the Housing Management Department at 03-2617 6157.
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