Kota Kinabalu: Residents of Tanjung Aru low-cost flats expressed shock and despair that they will be asked to vacate their units after Hari Raya in July this year.
Their spokesperson Dewi Yana Awang said they were disappointed with the claim by Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA) Chairman Datuk Masiung Banah that the residents have agreed to move out.
“We are shocked. We have never agreed to move out until SHTDA has provided us a new place to live.
“We are still upholding the statement by former State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun that the residents will only be relocated when the authority has found a place for them to live,” she told reporters during a residents’ gathering at the flats, here.
The gathering was to rebuke the statement by Masiung last week that the low-cost flats have been declared unsafe to live in and that the residents have agreed to move out in July. Our report on February 14, 2023
In rebuking Masiung’s claim, Dewi said during a meeting at the SHTDA office, they were told by consultant Kumpulan Ikram, an engineering company appointed by SHTDA, to check the flats’ building structure.
“We were told that the building is still strong and safe to be occupied but minor repair needs to be carried out, but SHTDA did not have the funds which will cost around RM20 million,” said Dewi.
Contrary to Masiung’s claim, she said they did not engage in any negotiations with SHTDA recently, except for the last one on July 5, 2022 which was headed by Tanjung Aru Community Development Leader Reduan Aklee and the respective block heads at the SHTDA office.
She said the meeting was also attended by Masiung, SHTDA General Manager Rosemary Ahping, board of directors, senior officers and Kumpulan Ikram.
“We did not ask SHTDA to postpone the relocation exercise but to provide a place for those who have yet to be offered a home to be resettled,” she said.
“We never asked for a postponement until July 2023 because we are still waiting for the last meeting following the first one on July 5, 2022, but until today there are no new developments.
“The residents have proposed to SHTDA to carry out minor maintenance for short term while they are looking for any available place for them to resettle,” she said.
The residents called on Deputy Chief Minister II cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam to look into their plight.
They also hoped that Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya could also help as the Putatan parliamentary is part of the Tanjung Aru constituency.
“So far, 40-50 residents have left voluntarily and there are other residents who have asked for a postponement to allow them to celebrate the fasting month and also Hari Raya,” said Masiung.
There are 320 units at the Tanjung Aru low-cost flats which was built 50 years ago in 1970s for rent by SHTDA and now it was deemed unsafe to live.
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