PUTRAJAYA, 6 June 2018:
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has given owners of People’s Housing Project (PPR) units three months to vacate their houses – if these are being rented to foreigners.
Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said if the owners failed to vacate their premises within that period, removal action on the foreigners would be carried out. The PPR unit owners would be penalised and their ownership rights would be withdrawn.
“The move is being taken to ensure that foreigners no longer occupy PPR units and it would begin with houses under the supervision of KPKT and subsequently, it would move to the other sectors.”
She added that the enforcement was being implemented to ensure local people are being given priority to get these houses, besides addressing social issues that were frequently raised against foreigners who occupied these houses.
“We also want to regulate issues on rentals in the area where we know that most of the foreigners would be offered a higher rate than those offered by local residents.”
Separately, Zuraida said KPKT would review various aspects of the services of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) – including the existing standard operating procedure of the JBPM facilities including vehicles, fire hydrants and rescue equipment.
“We will also give focus on the welfare of JBPM personnel throughout Malaysia especially in terms of their children’s education, the welfare of former members and widows would be reviewed and will discuss the issue of critical allowance for personnel which would be streamlined with the current economic situation.”
The minister also said that she would be leaving for Vilnus, Lithuania today to attend the Women Political Leaders Summit.
She said KPKT would use the platform to champion the cause of women by introducing Gender Focal Point which would promote gender equality within the ministry as well as the community.
This is in line with the Beijing Declaration and Convention on the Abolition of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which had been signed and agreed upon by the Malaysian government previously and in line with the demand from UN Women for the implementation of enculturing women in the community, she said.
– Bernama