Former pride of Penang crumbling

The Star

7 days ago

Home to many: A view of the Rifle Range corridors in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Rifle Range residents call for renewal of oldest public housing
GEORGE TOWN: Leaking pipes, falling objects, cracked walls and broken floor tiles.
These are just some of the long list of grievances faced by thousand of residents in Rifle Range, the country's oldest existing low-cost high-rise public housing project.
Designed by a German firm and built in 1969, it was the pride of Penangites as the tallest building in the state back then.
But almost 55 years on, the housing area is falling apart, with ageing infrastructure, traffic snarls and dirty surroundings.
The 3,888 units are also cramped, with an average size of just 340 sq ft each.
'The building is too old. Parking is also a daily struggle. Thousands of residents are in a dilemma,' said Cheang Wai Long, a hawker.
The 55-year-old, who has lived there for over 50 years, said her unit is among those that need urgent repairs, with persistent leaks, cracked walls and damaged floor tiles.
She and her extended family, who also live in the flats, are willing to relocate if the state government decides to build new high-rise flats with better facilities under the Urban Renewal Act.
Single mother Fauziah Ahmed, 49, who has lived there for over 20 years, said Rifle Range Flats offers good connectivity and ­relia­ble public transport.
Hope for more: Fauziah at the Rifle Range flats in George Town.
'It's easy to get food as there are many shops around.'
Housewife N. Parameswari, 37, who lives there with her ailing father, husband and four children, said she was grateful to the state government for allowing her family to rent a unit after their home was destroyed in a fire six years ago.
'With a monthly rent of RM110, we are all right here,' she added.
She said she hopes to see more playgrounds for children besides better parking facilities.
'Infrastructure maintenance, including water piping, lift servicing and garbage management, is badly needed,' she added.
Kuih seller Salmah Ibrahim, 62, said that if the government ­redeveloped the flats, a larger food court should be a priority.
There are nine blocks of 17-­storey buildings on the 16.7ha area, with every floor comprising 20 units of single bedrooms and four two-bedroom units.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid agreed that it is time to improve things at the flats, along with Flat Uda in Tanjong Tokong.
'We must ensure that families have a clean, safe and dignified place to call home,' she added.
Based on her discussions with the Penang Housing Board, Syerleena said it would be a long-term effort requiring careful planning and input from various stakeholders.
The grounds where the flats are built was once a shooting range used by the British army and local police during the colonial days, hence the name.
It is also known as Pak Cheng Poh in Hokkien or Padang Tembak in Malay.
The Federal Reserve Unit barracks are also next to the flats.