The houses at the Kampung Koskan Tambahan now have roads and access to water and electricity.
Forty-two houseowners are one step closer to moving into their property as infrastructure has finally been built for the once-abandoned Kampung Koskan Tambahan in Sungai Choh, Rawang in Selangor.
The project, which started in 2000, now has roads, a field, drainage and sewerage systems as well as access to water and electricity.
The price of a unit at the time was RM97,500 but many housebuyers are still paying off loans.
Selangor housing, urban wellbeing and entrepreneur development committee chairman Rodziah Ismail said the appointed contractor Tetuan Ehsan Ibu Sdn Bhd failed to build infrastructure as they were declared bankrupt on Oct 17, 2012.
“In 2014, there were meetings held by the state with Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS), Hulu Selangor Land Office and Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) on this matter.
“On July 24, 2019, during an exco meeting, the state approved the infrastructure proposal for this project under the Abandoned Projects Revival Fund (Tepat).
“Under Tepat, LPHS appointed Perunding Tetuan RE Consultant Sdn Bhd on Sept 1, 2020, and contractor Hijrah Perkasa Construction Sdn Bhd on May 16, 2022, to do the construction costing RM5,102,112,” she said.
She added that the work, which began on May 16 last year, was expected to be completed by the end of next month.
“Now, only infrastructure like streetlights needs to be completed.
“After that, houseowners are advised to repair and maintain their own homes.
“Besides this, houseowners should also deal with the relevant authorities such as MPHS, Hulu Selangor Land Office, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Air Selangor and Indah Water Konsortium to get everything in order,” said Rodziah.
She also advised the district councils not to appoint contractors but developers for housing projects.
She said many abandoned housing projects in the past had problems because the contractors were not able to provide proper infrastructure for them.
“So far, we are reviving eight abandoned projects in Selangor such as Kampung Rasa and Kampung Desa Beringin in Serendah,” she added.
Houseowner Abdul Aziz Mahmud, 61, is happy that the state stepped in to help.
“I still continue to service my bank loan, paying RM460 monthly.
“We have to spend quite a lot to repair our houses but with the infrastructure in place now, it will be an easier task.
“Some of the houses are in bad shape, with trees growing inside of them but we will try to keep the compound clean.”
Another houseowner, Ab Manaf Hamzah, 62, said he would now be able to stay in the house.
Housebuyer Shamsudin Ab Samad, 62, expressed joy over the news and being able to start repairs on his house as well as instal new windows and plant trees.
