GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has expressed concern over the way Taman Manggis People’s Housing Project (PPR) tenants were evicted from their homes recently, saying that it should have been handled more delicately.
Describing such action as cruel, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai said the state government should be more considerate, especially when dealing with elderly tenants.
“Pakatan Harapan (PH) has been bragging that it will care for the B40 group, but now it seems they are mistreating them, much to the people’s dismay.
“The main reason behind this problem is the lack of affordable housing. “The state Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo announced in 2017 that Penang’s first affordable housing programme had a total of 520 units.
“After 10 years in power, the Penang government only admitted that it was having its first affordable housing project. How can this meet market demands?” he asked.
Lau said the Gerakan-led state government built more than 60,000 low- to medium-priced affordable houses with market prices of between RM50,000 and RM70,000.
“In the past, former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon wanted to build affordable houses on this piece of land, but his successor Lim Guan Eng privatised the land and the bungalow scandal broke out.
“Shouldn’t they explain to the people?” he asked.
Lau urged the state government to look into the issue seriously and promptly solve the problems facing the evicted Taman Manggis tenants, and arrange new homes for them.
“The state government should listen to the problems and dilemmas faced by the tenants and find better methods to help them solve the issue instead of using force.
“The state government should also speed up the construction of more affordable houses.
“Otherwise, it will not be able to solve the problem fundamentally, because the people cannot afford expensive houses.
“The state government can also implement the rent-to-own scheme as soon as possible so that the lower income group can also own houses,” he added.
Six of the 22 families, who were evicted on Wednesday, are seeking shelter at the Komtar walkway.
They were given a temporary respite today and will be allowed to return home until Sunday.
The good news was conveyed to them by Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, who called on the families this morning.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Dr Afif said he had spoken to Jagdeep, and got his nod for the residents to return home.
However, it is learnt that the residents are refusing to do so.