KPKT COMMITTED TO ENHANCING LIVEABILITY AT PPRs
Low-cost high-rise housing schemes built under the People’s Housing Project, or better known as Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR), are saddled with problems and even labelled as “black spots” or haunts for anti-social elements.
In this article, Bernama provides insights into the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) to enhance the comfort and wellbeing of the PPR residents.
KUALA LUMPUR: It has been nearly five decades since the government introduced the People’s Housing Project (PPR) to provide affordable homes for low income earners but until today, the wellbeing of the community remains a major concern.
The poor living conditions of low-cost public housing have been at the forefront of the media till today. PPR residents are mainly those from the B40 category. B40 represents the bottom-tier households that have an income of below RM4,850 per month.
More often, these PPR flats are saddled with a plethora of social issues and are even labelled as unliveable and breeding grounds or haunts for anti-social elements.
Studies have also shown that many children and adolescents in PPR flats are faced with mental health issues, believed to be due to the deplorable living conditions.
Against this backdrop, sceptics doubted that these emerging issues could be resolved, especially in providing a comfortable environment for the PPR residents.
This, they said, is based on the growing number of PPR residents, with Selangor and Klang Valley alone reaching over 150,000 people.
But experts interviewed by Bernama opined that there is light at the end of the tunnel, noting that these challenges require a sustainable and integrated approach centred on government-private sector cooperation, such as through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and enforcement initiatives.
Commenting on the issue, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Dr Velan Kunjuraman said, the time has come for the government to work closely with the private sector in providing a more liveable environment for PPR housing.
“The government has introduced numerous initiatives to improve the wellbeing of the poor through the PPR including changing their mentality, raising civic awareness, etc but these are still insufficient.
“As such, to ensure a liveable PPR, cooperation between the people and the government is key with the need to strengthen collaboration with the private sector through the CSR such as provision of facilities, hence reducing the costs incurred by the government,” he told Bernama.
High costs
In the 2023 Budget, the government allocated RM50 million through the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) to provide a safe environment in PPRs nationwide.
In a written reply to Bernama, KPKT said the costs of repairs and maintenance of PPR buildings are high and are subject to damage such as electrical wiring, repairs/replacement of lifts, etc.
For example, for maintenance as well as repairs of PPR Lembah Subang 1 (Taman Putra Damai) alone, RM30.6 million had been allocated for the period 2017 to June 2023.
While under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), a total of RM500 million has been set aside for maintenance of strata housing units nationwide including PPR, to be implemented from 2021 to 2025 through the Housing Maintenance Programme (PPP).
However, the PPP allocation does not involve strata housing units in Klang Valley as they are under Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)’s jurisdiction and according to KPKT, Selangor receives an allocation of RM2.5 million under the PPP from 2021 to 2023.
At the same time, a total of 31 PPRs comprising 40,046 units have been completed in Klang Valley and Selangor as of June 30, 2023, and of the total, 26 PPR projects are under DBKL’s supervision, one under Selangor government and four under KPKT.
“Overall, a total of 39,041 units are already occupied comprising an estimated 156,164 PPR residents based on the tenure status of households occupying the housing units currently.
“Besides that, two PPRs with 904 units are under construction in Selangor. The projects are PPR Sg Yu, Tanjong Karang with 500 units and PPR Ampar Tenang, Dengkil (404 units), it added.
KPKT’s focus
Albeit the various challenges, KPKT said it is committed to enhancing the liveability of PPRs, quoting its minister Nga Kor Ming as saying, all new PPR projects must be constructed in accordance with five key principles: accessibility, liveability, connectivity, decent community and sustainability to satisfy present and future requirements.
On the issue of cleanliness at the respective locations, KPKT said the ministry, through the National Housing Department (JPN) has appointed a management agent responsible for managing cleanliness of buildings and landscape, bulk waste pickup services as well as security controls.
However, issues related to cleanliness, vandalism, according to the ministry, continued to take centre stage at these locations due to the lack of civic-consciousness among some residents who were reluctant to take responsibility in ensuring a comfortable, safe and secure environment for all tenants.
To address the issue, KPKT has introduced new regulations such as prospective owners under the PPR will have to attend a civic engagement course before receiving the keys to their new PPR home starting this year. Its objective is to create awareness and understanding about community living and neighbourhood etiquette.
“Courses will be held at new PPRs starting with PPR Kuala Nerang, Padang Terap, Kedah on March 15, 2023 and followed by PPR Machang, Kelantan, PPR Kuah and Ulu Melaka, Langkawi, Kedah and the latest at PPR Ladang Tanah Merah, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan on June 19.
“The objectives of the course are to create awareness as well as to instil a sense of responsibility in every PPR resident on the importance of maintaining cleanliness and their wellbeing throughout their PPR tenancy as well as the impact of failing to pay their rentals on the wellbeing of residents at the PPR,” said KPKT.
Express appreciation
Nevertheless, KPKT said it realised that not all PPRs are faced with cleanliness and social issues, which are often plaguing these housing projects, thanks to residents’ associations which are committed to keeping their environment clean, well kept and comfortable.
In fact, a random survey conducted by Bernama recently found that the PPR at Ampang Jaya (Rumah Pangsa Pandan Utama) is a far cry from other locations when residents work together in keeping the landscaping in their community attractive.
“KPKT intends to award letters of appreciation to the representatives of residents of any PPRs that are responsible for ensuring their housing areas are well maintained as recognition of the efforts and cooperation from all residents.
“This department is always supportive of efforts or initiatives undertaken by residents’ associations or the Joint Management Body (JMB) on the matter.
“According to the department, some PPRs or other low cost housing schemes are lacking in funds to undertake repairs or maintenance of buildings,” said KPKT.
Towards this end, the ministry said the management of PPRs or other low cost schemes can apply for certain allocations under the (Public) Housing Maintenance Programme for maintenance such as repainting of buildings and other related maintenance works.
Further improvements to PPR
In fact, when the PPR was first introduced in the 1970s, the standard size of a one or two-room unit was about 650 square feet with limited facilities and was increased to 700 square feet under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
The built up area was later increased to 750 sq ft in 2022 with the objective of improving the PPR liveability hence adhering to the set of rules under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 that ensure the security and wellbeing of Malaysians who reside in and work in buildings.
“In comparison with other housing schemes for B40 income group, the 750 sq ft built up area is the largest so far.
“Other social housing schemes that are being implemented in other countries show that the built up area of a house is about 320 sq ft to 650 sq ft, which is much lower compared to 750 sq ft,” said KPKT.
Besides the size aspects, other improvements were also undertaken by the government involving design as well as the structural layout to create comfort for PPR residents including providing other amenities such as surau and kindergarten.
The ministry also said that under development plans for PPR, other facilities will be provided accordingly such as the use of green technology among others solar panels, Rainwater Collection and Utilisation System (SPAH) as well as energy and water efficient equipment and hardware.
National community policy
KPKT has also formulated the National Community Policy (DKomN) to address emerging housing issues at the local community level especially in strata housing areas nationwide.
“Among others, the policy is expected to create a community that are focused on aspects of health and security, have a sense of ownership, spirit of good neighbourliness and respect for each other.
The National Community Policy was earlier drafted to develop community initiatives towards creating quality environment, strengthening community activities for better property management and maintenance as well as promoting community participation in their local development planning. This policy also focuses on safeguarding the welfare of the community which is aligned with the National Housing Policy (2018-2025).
Through the DKomN, a total of 19 Community Consensus Offices (PSMK) has been established at selected PPRs nationwide. The PSMK is a platform to facilitate and connect with the PPR community including programmes for development of the human capital, cleanliness of the environment as well as physical and mental healthcare.
“Last year (2022), a total of 657 PSMK programmes involving 61,905 participants were held at PPRs nationwide.
“The implementation of various programmes for community engagement is seen as helping individuals who are in dire need, hence relieving their fear, sadness and stress,” it added.
Child-friendly
Besides that, KPKT through PLANMalaysia is currently formulating the Child Friendly Cities Initiative Guidance to be implemented at the housing schemes as outlined by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
This is following a recent study conducted by UNICEF which shows that more than 12.3 per cent of children and youth aged between 10 to 17 years old living in PPRs in the Klang Valley are faced with mental health issues and are prone to suicide.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni was also reported to have said, the study was conducted by the Institute for Health Behavioural Research and the Health Ministry involving 1,578 children and youths at 37 PPRs in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
The findings of the study also showed that most of these groups suffer from mental health issues due to economic pressure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as cramped living conditions.
“As such, KPKT will focus on six basic criteria for a child-friendly environment namely access to nature, social relationship, opportunities for children to play at leisure, and where children may develop a sense of belonging and participation in decision making, especially in high density residential units including PPR areas.
“Besides that, through the Guidelines on Open Space Development Planning released in 2021, the ministry remains committed to planning of quality open spaces subject to the open spaces covering 10 per cent out of the total housing development area, including strata housing,” it added.
In this context, the Local Authorities (PBT) will manage planning based on the planning guidelines to realise a PPR environment that is of high quality.
“PPR housing is not only provided for residential purposes for low income earners but as a platform for households to take part in the economic and community activities.
“This ministry has always stressed on the need for state governments to propose PPR housing development sites, taking into consideration such factors as access to transportation, employment, health services, education, shops, recreational or social areas and other income-generating facilities for households and transport costs that will not be a burden on their daily expenses,” it added. – BERNAMA
