Residents of Kg Melayu flats welcome plan to develop new housing project

GEORGE TOWN - Residents of Kampung Melayu Flats in Air Itam here, welcome the idea to develop any new housing project that is able to provide them with better comfort.

This came after the condition of their one-bedroom and two-bedroom housing units caught the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Jelajah Perpaduan Madani programme in Kampung Melayu yesterday.

Residents’ Association chairman Abdul Aziz Bukhari said the Kampung Melayu Flats which comprise 950 low-cost units is over 50 years old and is no longer suitable for the current situation.

Abdul Aziz who is also Kampung Melayu Village Representative Council (MPKK) chairman, said most of the residents have also paid up their respective residential units through the rent-to-own system

"There are over 3,600 occupants in the two blocks. Block A was occupied since 1968 and Block B since 1978 so many have lived here for more than 50 years old.

"Out of the 950 units, 135 are two-bedroom units while the rest are one-bedroom units. The one-room unit was sold at RM15,000 while a two-room unit was priced at RM19,000," he said when contacted today.

Abdul Aziz said the residents are of the opinion that the most appropriate way was for the state or federal government to redevelop the existing housing area.

He said renovating or improving the units with an additional room would be difficult as the floor area of the unit is only about 500 square feet.

"The residents here are excited by the prospect of getting to live in a much more comfortable unit because most of them have a large family," he said.

Meanwhile, another resident, M. Lakshya, 42, said her family had been living with her mother at the flat ever since her father died five years ago and it was difficult having to live together in a one-room unit.

"I have two sons. Imagine those with more children. It is necessary to develop a new housing project with three-room units like most of the houses now.

"Anyhow, I wish to thank our Prime Minister for his concern over the residents here, we hope a discussion on the development will be held," she said adding that her father bought the unit 50 years ago.

Yesterday, Anwar in his speech at the Jelajah Perpaduan Madani programme, said he would discuss with the Penang state government on bringing about some changes to the Kampung Melayu Flats.

"I can't promise more because this is the state election season. If I make more promises, it's an offence because of the election rules, but believe me when we have the power we will implement it well," he said. - BERNAMA