Environment group calls for a stop to all projects around Genting Highlands, Johor to deliver 21,000 affordable homes in next five years and more
13th December – 19th December
Environment group Rimba Disclosure Project had urged the authorities to stop all ongoing construction work as well as permanently abandon any future development around Genting Highlands following the tragic landslide in Batang Kali.
Meanwhile, the Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ) plans to build 21,139 Johor Affordable Housing (RMMJ) units over the next five years.
1) Environment group calls for a stop to all projects around Genting Highlands
Environment group Rimba Disclosure Project had urged the authorities to stop all ongoing construction work as well as permanently abandon any future development around Genting Highlands following the tragic landslide in Batang Kali.
It noted that several projects, of which some are currently under construction, can be found on environmentally sensitive land spanning around 5,700ha, reported Free Malaysia Today.
This involved 14.5ha for the ongoing Pavilion Genting project, LBS Bina (125ha), the Tropicana Windcity development (248.7ha), Rancangan Kawasan Khas Genting (316ha) and Rancangan Kawasan Khas Bentong (5,000ha).
The group said it was appalled that development on such lands was approved by the local government given that environment department regulations provided that no development, agriculture or logging should be permitted except for low-impact nature tourism, research and education on environmentally sensitive land.
With this, Rimba Disclosure urged authorities and government agencies and departments to focus instead on reforestation efforts for such areas.
2) Johor to deliver 21,000 affordable homes in the next five years
The Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ) plans to build 21,139 Johor Affordable Housing (RMMJ) units over the next five years.
Of these, 1,967 RMMJ units are set to be developed within Batu Pahat, Johor Baru, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Kulai Mersing and Tangkak in 2023, said Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He revealed that the state also allocated RM30 million for the development of 216 Rumah Impian Bangsa Johor (RIBJ) units in Mersing. He noted that the homes will be developed in collaboration with State Secretary Incorporated (SSI), PKPJ and the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation, reported The Star.
“At the same time, the state government also provided RM5 million for the construction of 50 units of Rumah Kasih Johor for the poor and extreme poor,” said Onn Hafiz during the tabling of the 2023 Budget at the Johor State Assembly sitting.
He shared that his administration is also planning various initiatives aimed at helping all levels of society within the state to own homes.
3) Taman Halaman homeowners to foot slope repair cost
Homeowners within Taman Halaman, Ampang, Selangor, who were affected by a landslide on 9 December, will have to bear the cost of slope repair.
This comes as state agencies cannot be held liable nor required to take action since the land was privately owned, said Ampang Jaya Councillor Mohamad Samat.
He noted that there were two groups of houses – those located at the foot of the hill and those on the hilltop – both of which are on private land, reported The Star.
“Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) cannot use public funds to undertake remedial works on private property,” he said.
“A meeting will be held between the council and residents to discuss the appropriate forms of assistance.”
Nonetheless, he explained that homeowners on private land that were affected by landslides could claim from their liability insurance.
4) EoT clause helped revive sick projects
With Malaysia undergoing three phases of movement control order (MCO) during the pandemic, it was no surprise that some housing projects could not be completed on time, said Datuk NK Tong, President of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia (REHDA).
“We need to play catch-up now,” Tong told The Star.
He noted that the Extension of Time (EoT) clause – which is a mechanism to adjust a project’s completion date when necessary while offering protection to homebuyers – has helped housing projects to continue.
“Developers have applied to the government to be given more time to complete their projects. Some of them have received approval, and some have yet to receive it,” said Tong.
“Projects that have received this permission will no longer be considered ‘sick’.”
In fact, most of the ‘sick’ projects in Selangor would no longer be considered as such after a certain period as they will receive EoT, said Selangor REHDA Chairman Datuk Zaini Yusoff.
National Housing Department data showed that Selangor had the highest number of ‘sick’ or abandoned housing projects at 73.
5) Upgrading works in Kepong halfway through completion
The second phase of road upgrading works at Lorong Bangau 1, off Persiaran Mergastua in Kepong Baru is now 50% complete.
The Star reported that the project involves pavement repairs and drainage upgrading works.
For the second phase, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has allocated RM400,000, of which RM200,000 was set aside for drainage works and the remaining half for pavement repairs, shared DBKL Engineer Errwan Abdul Rashid.
He revealed that the drainage upgrades had been completed by DBKL’s Civil Engineering and Drainage Department on 11 December.
“Widening of the drains, spanning 100m on each side of the back alley, will help prevent oil blockage and enable water to flow smoothly during downpours,” Errwan said.
“DBKL installed half-round glazed culverts that are made from clay for easy cleaning.”
He added that the pavement repairs are expected to be completed within a week.
