KPKT finding solutions for abandoned housing projects

PETALING JAYA (Sept 7): The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) will review and revise abandoned housing projects and find solutions to manage such projects, said its minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said according to national statistics, it was estimated that there are about 350 abandoned housing projects around the country and the ministry was looking for a faster approach to manage these abandoned homes.

"Among the causes of the project being abandoned are financial problems, incomplete preliminary project studies, no buyers, geographically unsuitable locations and no infrastructure facilities," she said after launching the Recycling Club Training Module for the Update 2018 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tasik, at Ampang near here, today.

In Selangor, Zuraida said a total of 57 abandoned housing projects had been completely revived, five were in the process of being rescued while 20 others were in the pipeline since 2009 until June 30.

She was responding to criticism by MCA candidate for the Balakong by-elections, Tan Chee Teong, who questioned the Selangor government's credibility following the abolition of abandoned housing projects in the state.

Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP, said the problem of abandoned housing projects was among the issues that the ministry was concerned about in creating a new National Housing Policy which will be launched later this month.

In addition to providing affordable housing for the lowest 40% household income group (B40) and 40% moderate (M40), the policy also seeks to define affordable housing, current home prices, future building concepts and facilities that the ministry intends to introduce in public and private housing schemes.

Zuraida said the ministry was not just building housing for the people but also ensuring sustainability in creating a culture of community, discipline and awareness in environmental care through the National Community Policy.

She said with that, the country's recycling level has reached 23% compared to 13% previously, as a result of continuous education and the introduction of new technologies on solid waste management.