Hajiji Calls For Strict Monitoring To Prevent Abuse In Sabah PPR Programme

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Local authorities (PBT) in Sabah have been instructed to monitor the People's Housing Project (PPR) in their respective areas, to ensure that there is no abuse by recipients, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He said there have been cases where successful applicants of the programme have rented out their units to others, to make quick profits.

“Their actions showed that they do not need the houses, thus denying others deserving such facilities. Hence, I want all PBT to scrutinise all applications, and to strictly monitor the implementation of the PPR programme in their areas.

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“According to the agreement, those who obtain the houses under the PPR programme are not allowed to rent it out," he said during his working visit to the Sabah Local Government and Housing Ministry (MLGH) at Wisma Innoprise, here, today.

Also present was Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister.

Hajiji said that the state government had applied for 5,000 PPR housing units for Sabah next year, and had met the Housing and Local Government Minister, Nga Kor Ming, and requested the PPR housing units for the state be included in the ministry's budget for next year.

He also urged all PBTs to create more cleanliness awareness programmes in their respective areas, because the lack of cleanliness awareness among the people was among the cause of the never-ending rubbish problems.

On the issue of squatters, Hajiji said it was imperative that the local government enforcement units nip the matter in the bud.

“If they see a few structures erected on state land in their areas, they should stop it. Do not wait until the problem becomes full-blown squatter settlements, which will then cause further complications,” he said.

There are 281 squatter settlements identified in Sabah, the highest being in Kota Kinabalu, followed by Sandakan and Tawau; while three districts, Kota Belud, Tuaran, and Ranau have zero such settlements.

Hajiji also instructed the PBT officers to be more proactive, and to conduct frequent inspections of public amenities, such as drainage and street lights, to provide the best services to the people.

-- BERNAMA