THE issue of abandoned People’s Housing Projects (PPR) will be addressed holistically so that they can be completed and the house keys handed over to their owners or the respective state governments, says Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib.
He said the government will also ensure that all the facilities are completed for the benefit of occupants, which comprise the B40 group.
“The B40 are being aided in owning a PPR home via the Rent-to-Own initiative, subsidies to ease their financial burden to pay PPR management fees and a defect liability period of two years. Internet facilities will also be introduced at all new projects,” he told Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (BN-Machang).
Ahmad had asked about the government’s solution for abandoned housing projects which had increased.
Ismail said for PPR developed by his ministry, measures taken included convening a Contract Coordination Panel (CCP) special committee meeting, carrying out periodic monitoring and coordinating the implementation of the PPR projects with state authorities other than central agencies such as the Implementation Coordination Unit.
He added that the government is also committed to ensuring abandoned housing projects by the private sector are revived with cooperation from state governments, local authorities and other parties.
Ismail said among the things being done are conducting due diligence by obtaining the financial, technical and buyer information of housing projects, as well as site inspections.
He added that the ministry holds meetings with the relevant stakeholders such as the original developer, insolvency department and liquidators.
“We will also direct the developer to submit a progress report every month for each project being restored by the current developer, liquidator or the developer rescuing the abandoned project.
“We will also identify developers that are capable and experienced enough to take over the abandoned project, especially in the low and medium-cost categories,” he said.