New homes but rent kills the joy

NSt.com.my

13 feb 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: After waiting more than 20 years for a proper home, residents of the Lembah Pantai longhouses finally got the keys to their new flats yesterday.

But many were less than overjoyed during the ceremony to receive the keys to their low-cost flats at PPR Lembah Pantai.

They are unhappy over the rent of RM124 a month.



The 1,187 families received their letter of offer and keys for the three-room units from the member of parliament for Lembah Pantai Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Rokiah Muhammad, 56, has been living in the longhouse for 17 years and feels that it is time for her family to have a home of their own.

"At first, they (City Hall) promised us we would own it. But now, they say we have to pay rent," said the retiree.

"How long are we to keep paying rent? We are not well-to-do people."

Ahmad Silong, 59, was also upset, saying that paying rent every month would be a heavy financial burden.

"It's hard to keep paying rent when I have only my pension to support my wife and myself. We hope the government will help us own our own units," said the retiree, who has kidney problems.

But Shahrizat said these flats are a blessing.

"Ten years ago, three-quarters of Lembah Pantai was a squatter area with massive floods due to drainage problems."

"In 1998, City Hall came up with a 10-year plan, in line with the government's efforts to work towards a squatter-free Kuala Lumpur."

"We have helped move more than 2,580 families to proper homes in Lembah Pantai. "

She added that the government would look into the matter of ownership later, as the main concern right now was to provide comfortable, permanent homes for the people.