Metro

Thursday October 29, 2009

Sale of PPR units lauded but ‘weaknesses’ mar move

By LIM CHIA YING


THE sale of PPR units in Kuala Lumpur by the Government is lauded but the people want certain “weaknesses” rectified.

Representatives of the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency said while they welcome the positive move of selling the units to long-time tenants, they are however unhappy with some of the conditions imposed in the sale and purchase agreement that they said would have implications on the purchasers later.

On Oct 10, the Prime Minister had announced that some 44,146 units of the PPR under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as well as PPR MTEN units in Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur would be sold to residents.

Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s special representative Azman Abidin said among the conditions are an upfront fee (such as lawyer’s fee and other costs) amounting to RM5,900 which has to be paid during the signing of the agreement as well as high monthly maintenance charges of between RM50 and RM60 that do not include the monthly installment fees to the bank.

“Some of these residents are old folk who are not eligible for bank loans anymore,” said Azman during a press conference on this issue.

“Those who can secure bank loans and later unable to pay the monthly fees in time risk having their units being ‘held back’ by the bank.

He also said the application period for purchase of the units was too short as it closes seven days after briefings are given.

Khalid’s special political officer Othman Karim said the Federal Territories Ministry should look into extending the seven-day application period to allow for ample time for residents to make an informed decision, while abolishing the introduction fee as well as the maintenance charges.

“We also hope that the Government can provide loans through the FT Ministry without having to go through banks that charge interest.”

Khalid’s special assistant Chin Chee Kong said some flats like Sri Sabah, Sri Kota and Desa Tun Razak are about 30 years old and hence facilities have become rundown and old, with leaking pipes and tanks.

“Before the DBKL sells these units to the people, we hope that it can repair the basic utilities first.

Resident Lee Chaw Tay of Taman Mulia PPR, Bandar Tun Razak, said the selling price for her 560sq ft unit is over RM30,000.

“We hope the government would consider selling it to us cheaper as we have paid rental for many years.” sid Lee, 56.

It is learnt that in Bandar Tun Razak, PPRs like Sri Melaka, Sri Johor, Ikan Emas, Sri Alam and Sri Laksamana will not be sold.

The representatives describe this as unfair.

Azman said all MPs in the Federal Territories would meet this weekend to discuss the various grouses over the conditions before bringing these up to the FT Minister.

When contacted, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said the seven-day deadline should not be an excuse as the sale of PPR units has been talked about for years now.

“So it is not just seven days. People are aware that we have been talking about selling these units for a while now.”

As for the upfront fees to be paid during the signing of the Sale and Purchase agreement, Saravanan said he will discuss it with the Federal Territories Minister.

On why some PPRs were being sold and others are not, he said there were people who could not afford to buy a house and that reserve units are also needed in the event of natural disasters.

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