‘Flats residents won’t be displaced during rebuild’

RESIDENTS of the five housing schemes identified for Penang’s urban regeneration projects (URP) do not have to worry about relocating, says Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo.

He said residents could stay in their flats until the completion of the replacement units, which would be built in phases.

Jagdeep said this was to ensure no one would be inconvenienced.

He had initiated the URP under his previous portfolio as state housing, local government, town and country planning committee chairman.

“A block will first be built at an empty space such as a parking or grassy area at the flats.

“Then the residents from one block will be moved into the new building before the old one is demolished.

“Once they demolish that block and build a new one, the next batch of residents will move into their new homes.”

He said all this would be done in phases.

Jagdeep said the five housing schemes under the URP were chosen because of the buildings’ age, structural condition and small unit sizes.

“The Mahsuri Flats, Rifle Range Flats and Taman Free School Flats on Penang island, and the mainland’s Mak Mandin Flats and Taman Siakap Flats are picked because the buildings are in poor condition.

“Some are dilapidated and difficult to maintain.

“There are lack of facilities and concerns about residents’ safety amid the illegal structures and unhygienic living conditions,” he added.

Jagdeep said most of the five schemes chosen were walk-up flats, which rendered them unsuitable for the elderly.

“The flats are also not economically viable to maintain.

“Maintaining old flats is more expensive than redeveloping new schemes from scratch.

“Existing facilities and amenities are not liveable according to current standard requirements.

“Minor repairs and repainting are short-term measures but over the long run, it will be costly and won’t address the main issue of providing proper dwelling by today’s standards.”

He said the project would improve the well-being of residents.

“It will provide facilities in accordance with current building regulations as well as infrastructure improvements.”

Jagdeep said all residents would be given larger units.

“Based on the reception, the majority of owners have given us overwhelming support and even asked the state to expedite the process.

“There have, however, been challenges as current legislation does not facilitate us in carrying out this project.

“Strata Titles Act 1985 does not provide for such redevelopment.

“It was reported that according to existing laws, a redevelopment plan must secure consent of 100% of residents before it can be carried out,” he added.

This is unlike Singapore, which only requires 70% of residents to consent to urban renewal projects.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was reported as saying that the URP for Mahsuri Flats was able to proceed because it had obtained the consent of 100% of residents.

He had urged the Federal Government to amend the law and simplify procedures so that more people could benefit from the project.

In Budget 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said to facilitate redevelopment of strata schemes, residents’ approval threshold for en-bloc sales would be reduced from 100% to a level consistent with internationalpractices, such as in Singapore.

This aims to encourage urban renewal and promote redevelopment of ageing buildings.