DBKL tightens PPR rules to protect eligible tenants

PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is reviewing tenants under the People’s Housing Project (PPR) to ensure units are fairly allocated to those who meet eligibility criteria, following discoveries of misuse and violations.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said a few tenants under the PPR were found to own other houses within a 35km radius of Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Zaliha said there were also tenants who no longer lived in their PPR units, as they may have sublet them to others or left them vacant.

She added that checks also uncovered tenants who exceeded the household income eligibility criteria, had non-citizen spouses, or accumulated high rental arrears, as reported by Kosmo.

Therefore, according to her, DBKL is carrying out a rectification process to ensure fairness in the distribution of PPR units.

“89.7 per cent among the 3,379 tenants checked remain eligible and continue renting, while 348 tenants were not renewed due to violating the conditions. Vacant units from the rectification process will be redistributed to applicants in need,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Earlier, Dr Zaliha was urged to respond to concerns over eviction notices issued to PPR tenants, which has recently caused public unease.

“The Madani government has inherited a significant legacy challenge in ensuring that PPR facilities truly reach those in need. With only a RM124 rental fee per month, PPR units were among the government’s major subsidies to help B40 families live more comfortably in the capital city,” she said.

She added that DBKL set the condition that both husband and wife must be Malaysian citizens, with a combined household income of less than RM3,000 for low-cost units and less than RM4,000 for medium-cost units.

Other conditions include not owning a house or land within a 35km radius of Kuala Lumpur city centre; being married, partnered, widowed, divorced, or a single parent; residing or working in Kuala Lumpur; and being registered with DBKL.

“The rectification process is being carried out to enforce these conditions, and a notice to the tenants has been given out six months before their contract ends,” she added.

Dr Zaliha said DBKL is also prepared to negotiate rates and instalment payment schedules for tenants facing rental arrears.

“Tenants only need to commit to adhering to the schedule so that they can continue staying in the PPR units under the agreed conditions.

“Currently, rental arrears for PPR and DBKL Public Housing have reached RM70 million,” she said.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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