Pasir Gudang homeowners who build garages must pay a fee from next year

PASIR GUDANG: The Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) will impose a fee on homeowners who build garages in front of their houses from next year.

MBPG mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the council is in the final phase of collecting feedback from the public before proceeding.

“The most important thing is feedback from the neighbours, because some may have more than one car and build (a) garage that (encroaches on or obstructs) their neighbours.

“What happens when the neighbour also has more than one car? (We would like to make) sure that each homeowner has their concerns heard and rights protected.

“We will also make sure that each garage is up to safety standards and will not (pose a danger) to others," he said after the MBPG full council meeting at Menara Aqabah here on Tuesday (Sept 27).

Asman Shah said the council also approved a special housing scheme to give its contract staff the chance to own a home.

ALSO READ: Cuepacs: Some 50% of civil servants unable to own homes

“There are three price categories from RM150,000, RM220,000 and RM270,000, and we will start developing an example unit at the end of this year.

“We have also identified three possible locations for the project in Bandar Alam Masai, Taman Seroja, and Bandar Layangkasa," he said.

The project will comprise 300 single-storey houses, he added.

"Many of our employees do not own a home because of difficulty getting loans from banks. They will be able to become homeowners under this scheme," he said, adding that MBPG was believed to be the first local council to introduce this scheme.

MBPG councillor Noor Azleen Ambros said the housing initiative is in line with Cuepacs' recent statement that 50% of the country's 1.62 million civil servants are still unable to own houses.

“MBPG as an employer prioritises the welfare of its employees.

“This will be a good morale-booster for our staff," he added.