The state government of Selangor has promised to revive an affordable housing project at Bukit Rimau Indah in Section 32, Shah Alam that has been abandoned 15 years ago.
“The state has given its assurance that the project will be revived and they will not take a long time to do it,” said Housebuyers Action Committee Chairman Zairi Moh.
He is one of the over 600 people who had purchased a unit in the development comprising several blocks of low to low-medium cost dwellings.
Its third phase consisted of two blocks of low-medium cost flats. Three of the four blocks in the fourth phase that house the low-cost homes were 80 percent complete, but the foundation of the last block was being put up when it was abandoned.
Zairi said he purchased a low-cost unit there in 2002 and is still paying RM340 in monthly instalment for the property. “The buyers are going through a tough time while waiting for their homes to be completed, so we hope the waiting will not be further prolonged.”
Similarly, K. Anakili is among the 85 families from Kampung Labu Padang who were offered low-cost units priced at RM35,000 by the property developer. Her two siblings also bought low-cost homes but were also left in the lurch after the development was abandoned.
“We are paying the monthly instalment on our loans as well as the rental for the houses we are currently staying in. I am paying RM750 rental for my home in Kampung Baru Hicom.”
Likewise, 41-year-old factory worker Halimah Mohd Nasri bought a medium-cost apartment for RM65,000. She is still paying RM600 per month for her housing loan, hence she hopes that the development would be revived.
“Now the area is filled with overgrown trees and creepers, so much that the unfinished structure is hidden,” she noted.
62-year-old K. Kanniah, who previously lived in Kampung Baru Hicom, revealed that he is leasing a two-storey house in the vicinity before buying a unit in the abandoned development.
He explained that the project began without any issues. Several blocks were nearly completed and his flat was 80 percent finished, but it was deserted by the developer due to financial problems.
“I have been left in a predicament as I am required to pay the monthly instalment for the abandoned property and at the same time pay RM500 for rent,” said Kanniah, adding that he has no income and his children are already married.
Meanwhile, the home buyers and residents in the surrounding area are complaining that the abandoned buildings are overgrown with plants. But worse, these properties are being used as a hangout spot for thugs, criminals and drug addicts.
In fact, when some of the buyers visited the buildings, several unidentified men fled the scene on motorcycles after seeing them.
Image sourced from The Star.
This article was edited by the editorial team of PropertyGuru. To contact them about this or other stories email editorialteam@propertyguru.com.my
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