Latest news with #People'sHousingProject
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Dr Wan Azizah aids Desa Tun Razak PPR fire victims in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today reached out to seven victims of the fire at the People's Housing Project (PPR) in Desa Tun Razak in Cheras, last Saturday. Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, presented cash aid from the Bandar Tun Razak Parliamentary Office, the Cheras Social Welfare Department and Baitulmal to help ease the victims' burden. 'Most of the victims are tenants, with only one being a homeowner. We've already considered ways to ease their burden. Tenants will be provided with temporary housing while repairs are made to their units. 'For the unit owner, Yayasan Wilayah will step in to assist, as they still have an outstanding bank loan and the insurance does not cover the damage to the house,' he told reporters after handing over the aid at the temporary relief centre at Masjid Zaid bin Thabit in Desa Tun Razak. She also revealed that during the incident, the fire and rescue department discovered that the fire hose at the scene was missing, which delayed the firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, one of the victims, Nurhasyimah Mohd Hairizam, 23, reported an estimated loss of RM4,000 due to the fire. 'Our unit was completely ruined. Even the bed is no longer usable. I'm grateful because I've been informed that we'll be given transit housing while waiting for the repairs to be completed,' she told Bernama. Nurhasyimah said that during the 10 pm incident, she and her husband were asleep when they smelled smoke and immediately fled to safety. The fire affected units on the 13th to 17th floors of the PPR, involving seven families and a total of 25 victims. - Bernama
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fahmi mourns passing of composer Ross Ariffin in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil expressed deep sadness over the death of renowned composer and musician Roslan Ariffin Jamil, popularly known as Ross Ariffin. The 63-year-old passed away at 5.30 pm yesterday at Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheras, where he had been residing since November last year. Fahmi shared his condolences in a heartfelt Facebook post, describing Ross as a resilient figure who made significant contributions to Malaysia's music industry. 'Uncle Ross was a composer who contributed greatly to the local music scene,' he wrote. The minister also recalled meeting the late artist multiple times, noting his strength in overcoming life's challenges. Ross Ariffin composed songs for several top Malaysian artists, including Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Ning Baizura, Jaclyn Victor, and Fauziah Latiff. His struggles had earlier drawn Fahmi's attention, leading the minister to assist him in securing housing under the People's Housing Project (PPR). The burial is expected to take place this morning. – Bernama
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Poverty-hit grandmother's struggle to raise future engineer
JOHOR BARU: With nothing but a rice cooker to prepare their daily meals and just RM25 in hand from odd jobs, 65-year-old Sharifah Nasir clings to the last threads of strength and dignity — all for the future of her 15-year-old grandson. For more than a year, this elderly widow has been the sole guardian of Mohamad Sadiq Abdullah, after the boy's parents separated and his father spiralled into violent drug addiction. Her son, she said, allegedly sank deep into drug abuse. "I've been caring for my grandson since he was small. I can't bear to see him fall behind just because we're poor," she said, her voice trembling. Sharifah now rents a single room, having fled their former home in Pulai, where her drug-addicted son repeatedly assaulted them and stripped the house bare — stealing even the fridge, microwave, water filter, and fan to feed his habit. "He even snatched my nasi lemak sales money every day," she recalled bitterly. "We had to report him to the police and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) when things turned violent." One night, they were forced to wait outside for hours, too terrified to re-enter. Although her son has since completed rehabilitation at a drug centre in Selangor, Sharifah says she has no plans to reconnect with him. Her sole focus now is to keep her grandson safe, clothed, fed — and, she hopes, back in school. "He dreams of becoming an engineer. He wants to return to school, but we just can't afford it," she said. Sadiq has not attended classes in over a year due to their financial struggles. Sharifah receives a monthly pension of RM650 from her late husband. Of that, RM450 goes straight to rent. The remainder barely stretches to cover utilities and food. "Our meals are usually just tempeh, eggs, and tofu," she said quietly. Cooking is limited to a rice cooker — stoves are not allowed in the rented room. Her own health is deteriorating; she suffers frequent bouts of gastritis. To survive, she earns RM25 a day helping a friend at a nearby restaurant. Her children, themselves low-income earners or housewives, can only lend a hand during emergencies. "I've not asked for help from the Welfare Department or the religious authorities — I don't know how to apply," she admitted. "I just want my grandson to live like any other teenager. I hope one day we'll have a home of our own, even if it's just a low-cost unit or a place under the People's Housing Project," she said, holding onto hope.
Daily Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Four blocks ready; six by August: 22 years after RM152 million Federal project was launched
Published on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 12, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Residents finally receive the keys to their long-awaited homes at PPR Putera Kionsom. Kota Kinabalu: Four out of 10 blocks at Taman PPR Putera Kionsom, Inanam, are partly ready — 22 years after it was launched. Introduced under the Eighth Malaysia Plan in 2003, the People's Housing Project (PPR) was supposed to be completed within five years. In May, the low-cost flats received the Occupation Certificate (OC) for the four blocks. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who officiated the key handover ceremony, Friday, said once completed, the RM152.9 million project would house 1,000 families. 'After more than two decades, the Madani Government has finally delivered on a promise to the people of Sabah,' he said. Nga said the remaining six blocks are scheduled for completion end of August. The project includes 10 disabled-friendly units, two kindergartens, six shop lots, four suraus and eight community halls. He said the Federal Government would continue working with the State Government to provide more low-cost housing options, including rent-to-own schemes, especially for the B40 income group. 'Under this arrangement, the State provides the land, while the Federal Government funds the projects,' he said. Outlining the PRR model, Nga said urban PRR units are offered on a rental basis, while rural residents may benefit from a 20-year rent-to-own scheme. To strengthen rent compliance, he proposed implementing a hotel-style access card system that grants entry only to tenants with up-to-date payments. A pilot project in Johor reportedly increased collection rates from 45 to 95 percent. 'The rent is low as RM124 per month. With government assistance such as Bantuan Tunai Rahmah, there's no excuse not to pay,' he said. As of now, Sabah has 39 PPR projects with 35 completed, two under construction, and two more in the pipeline representing a total investment of RM3.02 billion and delivering 26,299 housing units statewide. Nga said new PRR sites are being considered in several districts across Sabah. He also revealed that RM195.35 million has been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) Fifth Rolling Plan for 48 infrastructure and repair projects in Sabah. Of that amount, RM39.78 million is allocated specifically for PRR and PPR works in Kionsom, Pitas, Lahad Datu, Kota Belud, Beaufort, Kibabaig, Sandakan, Kuala Penyu, and Tuaran. Other allocations include RM24.48 million for Rumah Mesra Rakyat, RM13.74 million for parks and landscaping, RM7.7 million for fire station upgrades, and RM32 million for landfill projects. As part of his Sabah working visit, Nga also toured several local developments, including the Foh Sang multi-level parking site, Luyang Multipurpose Hall, Tanjung Aru Recreational Park, Kepayan Square and Menggatal Residency (Phase 1A), where he handed over house keys. He also presented allocations for the maintenance of 15 non-Muslim places of worship. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Government yet to consider rent-to-own scheme
Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Deputy Chief Minister and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the current policy remains rental-only, as converting these units to rent-to-own would reduce availability for others still on the waiting list. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has yet to consider implementing a rent-to-own scheme for People's Housing Project (PPR) units in Sabah, said challenges due to the overwhelming demand for rental housing. Deputy Chief Minister and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the current policy remains rental-only, as converting these units to rent-to-own would reduce availability for others still on the waiting list. 'This PPR is a temporary measure. If we start offering rent-to-own, it could worsen the problem as many more people are still waiting to rent these units,' he said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday. He was responding to a supplementary question by Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who had asked if the government would consider new approaches to help low-income residents eventually own homes, especially amid the rising cost of housing in Sabah. Bung Moktar pointed out that many residents remain stuck in long-term rentals due to the high property prices, and suggested the State work with federal agencies to offer a clearer pathway to home ownership. In reply, Joachim said PPR housing in Sabah is provided by the Federal Government specifically for rental purposes, and there is currently no directive to shift towards a rent-to-own model. 'Perhaps the honourable member for Lamag could bring up this matter again in Parliament,' he said. Earlier, Joachim addressed concerns raised by Tanjung Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong regarding the relocation of residents from the Tanjung Aru Flats, which were deemed unsafe. He said 237 of the 315 tenants had been offered PPR housing under the Low-Cost Housing Allocation Policy, while 58 did not qualify and 20 were found to already own property. Of those offered housing, 113 have accepted and been relocated to various PPR sites including Taman Jaya Diri, Taman Bukit Setia, Taman Puri Warisan, Taman Sri Anak, PPR Kibabaig, PPT Gayang 2, Taman Keramat, and Taman Serigai. However, 124 tenants declined the offer due to distance concerns related to work, schools and healthcare facilities. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
