Let us take over, says minister

> Selangor not properly managing Lembah Subang 1 PPR: Noh

KUALA LUMPUR: The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry is determined to take over the management of Lembah Subang 1 People’s Housing Project (PPR) from the Selangor government despite the two parties failing to come to an agreement on the matter.

Its minister, Tan Sri Noh Omar, said the move was necessary as the state government, through the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), had failed to manage the housing project well.

He said the ministry was prepared to be sued if the state government brings the matter to court.

“The land and building belongs to the ministry but the rent has been collected by MBPJ since 2003.

“Unfortunately, when the Opposition took over Selangor in 2008, they have been ignoring the requests of flat residents.

“Problems such as faulty lifts and clogged pipes should have been managed by the state local authority. If they do not want to do so, let us take over.

“Since I became the minister, I have channelled RM30 million here for repairs and maintenance. Aren’t the state government ashamed? You take the rent, but we pay the bills,” he said.

“If they want to sue us, we will counter-sue them as we own the PPR,” he told reporters after attending a Deepavali event for Lembah Subang 1 PPR residents yesterday.

Earlier, Noh was reported as saying the federal government was prepared to provide RM23 million to take over from the Selangor government the management of the housing project, which is occupied by 10,000 residents in 3,000 units.

Noh told Lembah Subang 1 PPR residents to stop paying their rent to MBPJ and instead channel the payment to the actual land and building owner, which is the ministry. – Bernama