JOHOR BARU: About 50% of the low-cost flats here are in poor condition, says Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
The Johor housing and local government committee chairman said that the government has also identified 30 flat buildings that are older than 35 years.
“We have about 100 low-cost flats within the Greater Johor Baru area, which has four local councils; the Johor Baru City Council, Iskandar Puteri City Council, Pasir Gudang City Council, and Kulai Municipal Council.
“I can say that about half of these buildings are considered old as they were built around 30 years ago.
“So in line with Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar’s decree, it is high-time for the Federal Government to set aside a special allocation to rejuvenate old buildings like these as part of its social responsibility for the people,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after visiting the Flat Taman Ungku Tun Aminah here on Tuesday (May 16).
Mohd Jafni added that the state government does not have the financial capability to resolve all the issues and maintain these low-cost flats as it incurs huge allocations.
Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor (right) looking at a broken refrigerator that was dumped on the third floor of the Taman Ungku Tun Aminah Flats, Johor Baru.
“For example, we have allocated RM21mil to repair the damage at the Flat Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL), RM13mil for Flat Bukit Saujana, and RM10mil for Flat Jentayu and Flat Kenari.
“We have requested RM26mil from the Federal Government for the maintenance at Flat Ungku Tun Aminah,” he said, adding that he hopes the special allocation will not only be given to Johor, but to other low-cost flats in other states.
Sultan Ibrahim had said that he was disappointed with the poor maintenance and cleanliness at low-cost flats in the state.
