Government faces big challenge in rectifying sale of government-owned lots, Police veterans association proposes "quick fix" to police housing woes and more
5th September – 11th September
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai acknowledged that rectifying the sale of government-owned land, an issue inherited by the unity government is proving to be challenging and costly.
Meanwhile, a police veterans association has urged the government to acquire established apartments and flats and convert them into police housing to address the housing woes facing the police force.
1. Government faces big challenge in rectifying sale of government-owned lots
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai acknowledged that rectifying the sale of government-owned land, an issue inherited by the unity government, is proving to be challenging and costly.
He said it is unreasonable to expect Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to repurchase land already sold to third parties since doing so would only set a precedent for residents to demand the return of parks and open spaces that have already been lost to development, reported The Star.
With this, Tan urged government agencies such as DBKL as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) to be more transparent about the sale of government land.
“We hope the KSN (Chief Secretary to the Government), who is Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Exco (JKTWPKL) chairman, explains why government land is being alienated and sold when the city is facing a lack of green spaces,” said Tan.
The issue revolves around the sale of 10.1ha site in Taman Rekreasi Ayer Panas, Setapak to make way for a mixed development project. Notably, a part of the site is a community park.
It was previously reported that 52 plots of land in Kuala Lumpur, some of which were reserved as open spaces and green lungs, had been alienated and leased to businessmen and developers between 2020 and 2022.
2. Police veterans association proposes “quick fix” to police housing woes
A police veterans association has urged the government to acquire established apartments and flats and convert them into police housing to address the housing woes facing the police force.
Persatuan Bekas Polis Malaysia President Mokhtar Omar described the proposal as a “quick fix” to the problem given that redevelopment is costly and cumbersome, requiring existing buildings to be demolished to build new ones, reported Free Malaysia Today.
He pointed out that longstanding issues with unsafe police housing include problems with leaks and worn-out wiring.
“There is a time frame within which electrical wiring maintenance should be done, which is usually neglected,” said Mokhtar.
He suggested laying out wires externally, instead of planting them inside walls, so that any damage could be easily spotted, reducing maintenance cost as it would no longer require hacking walls.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently acknowledged that about 60% of police housing may be unsafe.
He has previously allocated an additional RM200 million for the upgrade of facilities and housing for the armed forces and RM40 million for police housing.
3. Sri Desa Entrepreneurs Park’s Block A partially reopens
After being cordoned off due to a beam collapse which crushed 10 vehicles last month, Sri Desa Entrepreneurs Park’s Block A has partially opened.
Businesses on the ground floor, Level 1 and 2, which consist of 45 units, have been given the green light to resume operations, reported The Star.
However, offices on Level 4 and 5 remain off-limits.
DBKL has granted approval for the reopening, but issued certain guidelines and procedures for tenants and owners to follow.
These include restricted access to certain areas and the use of emergency staircase for access and egress.
Businesses within the non-restricted area can resume operations only after they have submitted a letter of undertaking and indemnity to the Management Corporation (MC).
Companies and restaurants are also mandated to follow restricted business hours.
“We are thankful that DBKL has allowed our tenants on the ground floor and the two floors above to operate,” said Block A Building Manager Emily Sim.
“We have five restaurants operating on the ground floor that have been out of business for weeks and everyone is ready to resume work,” she added.
4. Selangor sets aside RM500,000 for repair of roofs at Taman Ampang Hilir flats
The state government of Selangor has allocated RM500,000 to repair the roofs of flats at Taman Ampang Hilir.
Notably, the roofs were damaged during a recent thunderstorm.
Izham Hashim, Chairman of the State Infrastructure Development Committee, said the repair works are progressing well and are set to be completed within a few weeks.
Affected residents have been provided with temporary shelter by the state, via the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and Welfare Department (JKM), said Izham, who also serves as Pandan Indah assemblyman.
Zone 14 Councillor Roasiah Ramli shared that the repairs are expected to be completed in about eight weeks, depending on the weather conditions.
“If there is no rain, the roof repairs can be completed sooner. Heavy rain, however, could extend the time taken,” she said, noting that the repair works also include checking and repair of ceilings and wiring at the affected units.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) revealed that the thunderstorm on 27 August damaged 18 units at the Jalan Hilir 4 housing scheme. This saw eight families, involving 29 people, being relocated to a temporary shelter at Dewan Persatuan Penduduk Flat Ampang Hilir.
5. JMB resigned illegal extension can no longer be solved
Some of the residents at Flat PKNS Tapak Maha, Taman Datuk Harun in Petaling Jaya were found to have illegally transformed their ground floor units into fully equipped houses, in violation of strata property rules.
The illegal extensions include the creation of gardens and car porches as well as the installation of awnings and gates at common areas, reported The Star.
Some have even taken over empty plots of land to build sheds, which they use to park their vehicles and store items.
The flat’s joint management body (JMB) believes the problem, which they inherited from previous management, would no longer be solved since taking legal action can be costly.
Meanwhile, legal experts pointed out that illegal extensions could prevent property owners from securing strata titles or making insurance claims in case of accidents such as fires.
“Once you illegally renovate or extend your property, forget about claiming fire insurance if a fire breaks out,” said town planner Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar.
He added that the unit owner who makes illegal extensions is also putting everyone at risk.
