Nationwide crackdown on illegal rental of PPR units soon, warns Nga

Minister of housing and local government Nga Kor Ming handing the Bandar Seri botani main road to the Ipoh local council.

IPOH: A large-scale nationwide operation will soon be carried out to identify owners of people’s housing projects (PPR) who illegally rent out their units, says Nga Kor Ming.

The Housing and Local Government Minister said that the ministry has found numerous PPR tenants in breach of their contracts by renting their properties to foreigners, including illegal immigrants.

He issued a stern warning that the impending operation will be extensive.

"PPR is a heavily subsidised social housing project costing about RM300,000 per unit. However, initial buyers only paid RM45,000, while the government covered the remaining cost.

“These owners apply for PPR claiming to lack housing, but end up renting out their units for profit," he said at a press conference after a 6km resurfaced main road in Bandar Seri Botani was launched on Thursday (June 6).

Constructed and maintained by Pinji Botanics Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM1.8mil since 2004, the road will now be transferred to the Ipoh City Council's jurisdiction.

Nga warned that the ministry will take firm action against those who violate the agreement, adding that such an operation was vital to solving the ongoing shortage of PPR housing.

Several locations for the operation have already been pinpointed.

On the topic of lift maintenance in low-cost flats, Nga revealed that the ministry has allocated RM100mil for upgrading and installing new lifts, but urged residents to cooperate fully by not vandalising these facilities.

"I hope people refrain from littering, vandalising, or urinating in the lifts. We must avoid resorting to installing CCTVs inside lifts, just like what the Singapore government did in the 1970s," he said.

He also called on residents to pay their maintenance fees promptly, highlighting that non-payment leads to repair delays, citing Terengganu where residents owe RM1.8mil, which has left lifts in disrepair.

Nga stressed the difficulties for those living in high-rises without functioning lifts and pointed out the affordability of the fees, with units in Ipoh being rented for only RM124 per month.

"Facilities and responsibilities go hand-in-hand, so I urge everyone to timely settle their fees," he added.