Govt to look into monitoring and redeveloping old buildings

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin

AMPANG JAYA: The government is looking into monitoring and redeveloping old buildings, especially those aged 30 years and above, says Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

“Under the National Housing Policy, there is a redevelopment programme, and buildings that are 30 years and above - we have to focus on redeveloping them.

“This is especially for low-cost housing, which are located on hilly lands, high lands or damp lands,” she told reporters when visiting the Taman Keramat Permai flats near here on Monday (April 29). 

She added that the mechanics of such a policy are still being worked out, and she said that she will meet with state agencies to discuss a long-term plan on how to implement this.

Zuraida stated that under the new housing policy, all buildings are subject to review every five years.

Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the safety monitoring standard operating procedures of old housing blocks need to be reviewed.

With regards to the housing redevelopment programme, the Economic Affairs Minister noted that one challenge to overcome is getting buy-in from residents.

“The root matter that we need to resolve is with regards to the ownership of the (housing) units.

“If we don’t get the buy-in from the majority of the residential unit owners, it would be hard for the state government to suggest to redevelop their apartment blocks,” he said at the same press conference.

He said this when visiting the site after cracks appeared on Block F of the flats near here on Friday (April 26).

The Fire and Rescue Department had found long cracks on the building, after fearful residents called the authorities for help.

A total of 222 occupants were forced to evacuate their homes here after 10 long cracks were found in the building.