Kota Kinabalu: State Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Joachim Gunsalam, denied allegations of mistreatment in the Tanjung Aru flats relocation, saying the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) is acting based on safety concerns and that all residents have been offered alternative housing.
He said the over-50-year-old flats are no longer safe due to their deteriorating condition, with unsustainable maintenance costs compounded by rental arrears totaling RM236,585 as of December 2024.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});He said despite the government’s efforts to arrange alternative housing, certain residents refuse to vacate the flats. Joachim
“Eligible residents were offered houses when units became available, and even those who declined the initial offers due to preference for suitable locations were given second chances and priority for housing when units became available in their preferred locations.
“The residents themselves rejected multiple housing offers, leaving LPPB with no choice but to ask them to move to alternative housing on their own,” he said in a statement.
Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong criticised the government for failing to honour its promise to provide suitable alternative housing for the 95 families still residing there.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Wong said some were offered alternative housing that was uninhabitable, with issues such as leaking walls, broken sinks, exposed electrical wiring and incomplete repairs.
However, Joachim dismissed the complaints, saying even new homes have been rejected.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“The condition of the houses is an excuse because there are those who received houses, for example at PPR Kibabaig, where they are still new,” he said.
For PPR units offered that are not new, Joachim said these units often require significant repairs due to damage left by previous irresponsible tenants.
“Most returned houses are often in a dilapidated condition, where irresponsible tenants leave severe damage, resulting in repair costs amounting to thousands of ringgit compared to the deposit, which is only RM240.
“LPPB certainly carries out repairs and ensures the houses are habitable, but it is financially impossible to make the houses like new before they are re-rented, as expected by new tenants. Moreover, the rental rates are low, at only RM124, RM150 or RM170 per month,” he said.
Joachim said PPR homes, like the RPTA flats, are designed for low-income groups and come with strict eligibility criteria, requiring tenants to earn less than RM3,000 and not own a house.
Those who fail to meet these criteria are not eligible to remain in the flats and must vacate.
He added that tenants with rental arrears were still given offers of alternative housing, despite not meeting the eligibility criteria.
