KPKT minister YB Zuraida Kamaruddin with secretary-general Datuk Mohammad Mantek (left) and National Housing department director-general Jayaselan A/L K.Navaratnam (right) during the press conference.
PUTRAJAYA: The Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Zuraida Kamaruddin said the ministry would be looking at redeveloping the Highland Tower area.
“As the MP for Ampang for the past two terms, the area has been an eyesore for the residents nearby. Highland Tower is considered a premium location that was coveted by many, and it is such a waste just to let the area be neglected as it is now,” said Zuraida during the press conference at KPKT ministry today.
Facing obstacles obtaining the proper documents to handle the issue back then, Zuraida is hopeful that she will have access to the information for examination.
“We will establish a special committee for a feasibility study of Highland Tower, which will be in charge of taking over the land as well as rebuilding the houses destroyed during the tragedy in 1993,” she shared.
During the press conference, Zuraida also said the ministry will give a three-month notice to owners of government housing projects to clear out the foreign tenants, especially the PPR housing.
“Failure to comply with the notice will force us to evict the tenants ourselves, and the owners will be penalised. We are also considering to revoke their ownership as well,” she added.
The action is to solve the social problems faced by the residents in the PPR as well as giving priority for Malaysians to enjoy the public housing project.
The KPKT minister also addressed the issue of providing more affordable and comfortable houses for the bottom 40 (B40) and middle 40 (M40) income groups.
“The need for these groups to own a house in the high-density city area with high housing prices is crucial, especially for those who already started a family.
“We will take this into account and ensure that all affordable housing projects built by the ministry will be comfortable, safe, and affordable for these groups,” added Zuraida.
