Relocation a blessing for squatters

27 May 2010 , By The Star

Relocating to the new flat units at Taman Sri Stulang here has been a blessing to many squatter residents who had to put up with small spaces, bad infrastructure and damaged facilities for years.

Housewife, Liah Dahlan, 52, said moving her new flat unit two years ago was a major difference from how her family lived before.

“We used to live at the Bukit Cagar flats which was very run down and all of us had to sleep in one room,” she said.

She was speaking to reporters after the launch of the relocation project for Malay villages in Iskandar Malaysia by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Saturday.

“Now we have three rooms, a clean and beautiful environment and basic facilities for the convenience of all.

“What more can we ask for,” said Liah who lives with her three children.

Another resident, R.Yogeswary, 21, also echoed Liah’s views as she was happy to have shifted to her new home.

“Initially, we were slightly cautious about moving to the new units but after staying here for two years, I have no complaints so far,” she said.

Yogeswary said the location was also very strategic as it was quite near the town area.

“The monthly rental for the flat units is also reasonable and we are grateful that the Government has taken into consideration that many squatter families come from the lower income group,” she said adding that she had moved into the unit with her mother about a year ago.

Resident Joriah Asiah Hanafiah, 57 said flat units offered a comfortable living area for her family.

“I used to stay in at the 12th floor of the Lumba Kuda flats and the elevators provided never used to work.

“It used to be a task climbing up flights of stairs just to get to my unit and I do not miss that at all,” she quipped adding that she was happy with the space and facilities provided at the new flat units.

“I have been residing here for more than two years now and the only thing lacking is community activities within the area,” she said.

Joriah said squatters from different communities have been relocated to the same area and more activities should be conducted to bring them together.

“This will help create better relations within the community and I believe that this is the only thing lacking in the area,” she said.

The three residents are among more than 1,500 families who were relocated to the Taman Sri Stulang under the Government’s initiative to have zero squatter areas in the state.

At a separate event, the Federal government has allocated RM200mil to Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) to build 1,500 housing units under the Public Housing development programme.

The Prime Minister, who visited the project site said that it would help enhance the quality of life for those living within Iskandar Malaysia.

“The project is a pilot project which will be the benchmark for future public housings within Iskandar Malaysia.

“Projects such as this will ensure that no one within the area will live in substandard housing or living environment,” he said.

The housing project is targeted for families with an average household income of less than RM3,000 a month.

The project will also feature disabled-friendly units and community facilities including a kindergarten, surau, football fields, futsal and badminton courts and a community hall.

Relocating to the new flat units at Taman Sri Stulang here has been a blessing to many squatter residents who had to put up with small spaces, bad infrastructure and damaged facilities for years.

Housewife, Liah Dahlan, 52, said moving her new flat unit two years ago was a major difference from how her family lived before.

“We used to live at the Bukit Cagar flats which was very run down and all of us had to sleep in one room,” she said.

She was speaking to reporters after the launch of the relocation project for Malay villages in Iskandar Malaysia by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Saturday.

“Now we have three rooms, a clean and beautiful environment and basic facilities for the convenience of all.

“What more can we ask for,” said Liah who lives with her three children.

Another resident, R.Yogeswary, 21, also echoed Liah’s views as she was happy to have shifted to her new home.

“Initially, we were slightly cautious about moving to the new units but after staying here for two years, I have no complaints so far,” she said.

Yogeswary said the location was also very strategic as it was quite near the town area.

“The monthly rental for the flat units is also reasonable and we are grateful that the Government has taken into consideration that many squatter families come from the lower income group,” she said adding that she had moved into the unit with her mother about a year ago.

Resident Joriah Asiah Hanafiah, 57 said flat units offered a comfortable living area for her family.

“I used to stay in at the 12th floor of the Lumba Kuda flats and the elevators provided never used to work.

“It used to be a task climbing up flights of stairs just to get to my unit and I do not miss that at all,” she quipped adding that she was happy with the space and facilities provided at the new flat units.

“I have been residing here for more than two years now and the only thing lacking is community activities within the area,” she said.

Joriah said squatters from different communities have been relocated to the same area and more activities should be conducted to bring them together.

“This will help create better relations within the community and I believe that this is the only thing lacking in the area,” she said.

The three residents are among more than 1,500 families who were relocated to the Taman Sri Stulang under the Government’s initiative to have zero squatter areas in the state.

At a separate event, the Federal government has allocated RM200mil to Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) to build 1,500 housing units under the Public Housing development programme.

The Prime Minister, who visited the project site said that it would help enhance the quality of life for those living within Iskandar Malaysia.

“The project is a pilot project which will be the benchmark for future public housings within Iskandar Malaysia.

“Projects such as this will ensure that no one within the area will live in substandard housing or living environment,” he said.

The housing project is targeted for families with an average household income of less than RM3,000 a month.

The project will also feature disabled-friendly units and community facilities including a kindergarten, surau, football fields, futsal and badminton courts and a community hall.