Evicted PPR residents allowed to return home for three days

GEORGE TOWN: Residents sealed out of their units at the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Taman Manggis have been granted a threeday reprieve until Monday so that they can retrieve their belongings.

“They will have to think of their next move because after Sunday, they will have to move out,” State Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said after visiting the eight families holding a protest at Komtar after being sealed out of their homes.

He said the reprieve was granted after a discussion with state Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

On Wednesday, the families got into a standoff with an enforcement team after their homes were sealed.

They then marched a few kilometres to Komtar to stage a peaceful protest and decided to stay there.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the eviction should not be looked at as a racial issue, claiming there were groups accusing the state government of discrimination.

“It is administrative action in accordance with the law,” he told reporters after distributing flowers in conjunction with Women’s Day at Chowrasta Market.

Chow said the state would look into improving any weaknesses in the current eviction process.

“We have to make sure that the People’s Housing Projects only go to eligible tenants as the Auditor-General’s office has questioned us on our management of the units.

“They (A-G) have questioned why we do not adhere to rules and requirements, and pointed out that ineligible tenants were occupying some units while other people were on a waiting list.

“Out of the 22 tenants evicted, we have managed to take back seven units from those who willingly vacated theirs,” he said.

At another event, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin urged the state government to hold a private meeting with the families and explain why they were turned down.

She said Jagdeep had explained the situation to her.

“I can accept his explanation. I understand that there are people who are still on the waiting list.

“I hope that the state government can organise a more cordial session to listen to these residents’ plight,” she said, adding that the state government should act as a facilitator.

Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai called on the state government to look into solving the residents’ problems.

“They need to arrange a new place for the evicted tenants. The state government should listen to their woes and find better methods to help them solve the issue instead of using force,” he said.