PPR Melana Indah recently got a roof over the motorcycle parking area, leaving residents to ask for a roof over their carpark as well.
Allocation praised as timely to combat hygiene, maintenance and safety woes in flats
RESIDENTS of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) flats across Johor Baru are applauding the state government’s allocation of RM100mil to urgently improve and maintain their homes.
The funds, allocated under Johor Budget 2026, were described as timely by residents, many of whom have endured deteriorating living conditions due to ageing infrastructure, poor hygiene and lack of maintenance.
The PPR flats are home to 32,367 residents.
Housewife Eng Siu Mei, 42, who has lived at PPR Kempas Permai since 2016, said cleanliness was a major concern.
“Sometimes people even throw rubbish from the upper floors, and it ends up on residents’ cars.
“It is unfair to the cleaners, especially when residents don’t take responsibility,” she said.
Eng also raised concerns about the limited parking space in the area.
“The parking situation is critical. Some residents have to triple-park and I worry that in an emergency, ambulances or fire trucks might struggle to get through.
“Sometimes my husband cannot go to work because his car is blocked due to double or triple parking.
Walls and stairwells at the PPR are worn and with patches of green mould.
“I hope the state government can provide proper parking areas for us,” she said.
Sales executive Zahrah Md Noh, 53, from PPR Melana Indah, said vandalism and stray animals were major concerns.
“Some people even bring stray cats into the housing area and leave them in boxes.
“If they feel guilty about abandoning them, they should place them in the cages provided by the management at the ground level.
Zahrah said teenagers and children also vandalised the lifts, by removing the push buttons.
She also said the children must be taught how to dispose of trash properly instead of leaving it tied by the staircase while suggesting improvements to the building infrastructure.
“If the state government has allocated funds for maintenance work, I hope they can repaint the buildings in neutral tones that are pleasing to the eye rather than bright, striking colours.
“Recently, we got a roof over the motorcycle parking area, so I hope building a roof over the carpark can be considered as well,” she said.
Zahrah also raised concerns over the water and electricity supply.
“These two problems really affect our daily routines, such as cooking, doing laundry and bathing,” she said.
Factory operator M. Lakshmi, 25, from PPR Sri Stulang, called for upgrades to facilities, citing damaged rooftops and ageing buildings.
She said last year four roofs were damaged by storms and were later repaired by the Johor Baru City Council.
“All facilities, from parking to lifts and building maintenance, need proper attention.
“Good upkeep is essential for our daily lives,” she said, urging the authorities to adopt a more proactive approach.
“I hope the relevant agencies can regularly inspect the PPR buildings and take preventive measures before minor issues become major problems.
“Proper maintenance is not just about comfort.
“It’s about safety and quality of life for everyone living here.”
On Nov 13, Mentri Besar Johor Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that RM438.23mil would be allocated for the Perumahan Kasih Johor initiative in the 2026 state budget.
Of this total, RM100mil has been earmarked for the maintenance and repair of PPR flats, government rental houses and public flats.
