State aims to revive abandoned low-cost project in Kg Sungai Yu

It May be an end to a long wait for buyers of a low-cost housing project in Taman Sungai Yu Indah, Kampung Sungai Yu, Tanjong Karang, as the project will be revived and expected to be completed in March 2014.

State Housing, Building Development and Squatters Committee chairman Iskandar Abdul Samad said there were around 300 units of low-cost houses.

“It was a joint venture between Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) and a private company.

“I have received many complaints from buyers. They have to pay their loans to the bank and rent a house while waiting for the project to be completed and it is a burden to them,” he said.

Iskandar was responding to a question by Sulaiman Abdul Razak (BN - Permatang) who asked for the latest updates of the progress and when could the buyers move in.

Iskandar added that he had raised the issue several times at the state assembly meetings.

“I was told by the Kuala Selangor District Council that the project was to be revived and completed by 2010. But till now, it is still an abandoned project,” he said.

Iskandar said that one of the ways to revive the project was to convert it partially to medium-cost houses.

“One of the reasons that the project was abandoned is because the developers did not have the approval from the Selangor Land and Mineral Department,” he said.

Sulaiman said this was not a valid reason as the department was under the state government.

“How can it be converted to medium-cost houses when the structures have been built?” he asked.

Islander clarified that only some, of the structures were built, hence the remaining ones will be converted to medium-cost houses.

“It is up to PNSB to decide how many will be converted,” he said.

Lee Kim Sin (PR-Kajang) asked what action would be taken against developers that fail to deliver on time.

Iskandar replied that directors of those companies would be black-listed.

“It is insufficient to just blacklist the companies as each project is undertaken by different companies.

“Even then, some people use proxies and register the company under their spouse’s name,” he said.

By The Star