Several attempts to redevelop Sri Lempah Flats on Jalan Jugra, off Jalan Kelang Lama, have failed as it could not obtain unanimous consent from owners. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
THE Kuala Lumpur skyline is poised for a dramatic transformation over the next decade, particularly older townships.
Old five-storey walk-up flats are slated to be replaced by high-rises.
To ensure this mission succeeds, the government is drafting a new Act geared towards redevelopment and urban renewal.
This will ensure older and dilapidated flats can be made liveable again.
“The government, through the Housing and Local Government Ministry, is expected to table this Act during Parliament’s second session.
“It may stipulate 75% residents’ approval for redevelopment projects,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin (pic).He said the current threshold, which requires unanimous approval, made it hard to carry out redevelopment projects.This is one of the reasons why hundreds of old flats and apartments in the city are becoming more like urban slums.
“Older buildings, especially over 30 years old, have many issues including leaking and roofs being blown off,” he told StarMetro. Redeveloping some old flats has become a necessity, including for safety reasons.
“We need land to build more affordable homes, and we need developers to build them.
“But we are facing land scarcity. No developer is going to do it without incentives, hence a compromise is needed.”
He said under the Madani project, houses will be made available for sale and rent to B40 and M40 income groups.
Households under M40 earning RM7,000 a month or less can purchase an 800sq ft unit for RM200,000.
B40 households with an income of RM5,000 a month or less can buy a 750sq ft residential unit for RM180,000.
Singles and young newly- weds with a maximum income of RM4,000 a month or less can buy a 700sq ft unit for between RM150,000 and RM200,000.
These new units will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms and come with parking space.
“The challenge now is to get developers to take on these projects.
“They will only be able to do so if they are given incentives like higher plot ratios and density.”
Azman said that at least 20% to 30% of a private housing development must have a Madani component to it.
He said DBKL had identified 139 sites in the city with potential for redevelopment (see chart for some of them).
He added that priority would be given to those born in Kuala Lumpur or who have lived and worked in the city for more than 15 years. — By BAVANI M
