KLANG Municipal Council (MPK) received only RM124,000 despite submitting a request for RM5.75mil to address soil settlement at low-cost flats in Port Klang.
“MPK’s request for RM5.75mil to repair the Taman Teluk Gedung Indah (TTGI) flats was submitted to the Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES), which was then forwarded to the Housing and Local Government Ministry in February 2021,” said Selangor housing, urban well-being and entrepreneur development committee chairman Rodziah Ismail.
The application was for soil remediation, roof structure repairs, concrete structure and floor, exterior paint works, electrical wiring and general repair works.
“To date, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has approved only RM124,000 for handrail repair works for two blocks in April 2021,” said Rodziah.
She was replying to Azmizam Zaman Huri (PH-Pelabuhan Klang) who asked about MPK’s allocation request status that was submitted to the state.
StarMetro had previously reported that residents of the low-cost flats in Port Klang were living in fear of their building collapsing because a huge gap had formed between the ground and bottom of their flats, with hairline cracks and gradual soil settlement detected as far back as March 2008.
The flats are sandwiched between Lorong Sama Gagah 18D and Sungai Klang.
The flats were built to accommodate 150 families who were relocated from Taman Kem Rumah Panjang.
“MPK also submitted an application for allocation to repair the flats to the National Housing Department under the ministry in January this year, but has not received a response,” said Rodziah.
“MPK’s request to Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) for allocation was declined as the board said it did not have provisions for such repairs and could only provide allocation assistance under Skim Ceria (for sprucing up low-cost and medium-low-cost flats).
“MPK does not have the budget to repair TTGI flats as it is a private building,” she said, adding that a study to assess the flats’ stability, including a technical analysis on its safety, had to be carried out.
Azmizam asked a supplementary question whether the state government could fund the RM5.75mil sum while waiting for the ministry, due to fears of further roof structure deterioration or soil settlement.
“I have asked MPK to raise this to MTES as it has been over a year since the ministry last responded.
“First, carry out a study to assess if the building is safe.
“After that, we will decide on the urgency for repairs,” said Rodziah, adding that the matter would require a decision from the state government.
