PSM urges halt to PPR Taman Manggis evictions as housing board defends enforcement

The Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has called for a halt to evictions at Penang's PPR Taman Manggis housing project, while the Penang Housing Board has defended the actions taken. Five units at the People's Housing Programme (PPR) Taman Manggis were locked by authorities on September 3rd, with more residents facing eviction, according to PSM Penang.

The spokesman, Choo Chon Kai, alleged that some disqualifications for eviction were unreasonable, citing cases where residents were deemed ineligible due to marrying foreigners despite long marriages and heirs of original tenants required to vacate their units. Affected residents submitted appeals to the board, but some had not received responses before eviction actions.

The PSM urged the Penang authorities to consider these appeals carefully and suggested offering affordable permanent housing options, including Rent-To-Own (RTO) schemes, for those no longer eligible for PPR but still in need of housing. The board defended its actions, stating that the evictions were not abrupt but followed cross-checks, detailed assessments, and engagement sessions in accordance with government procedures.

They explained that the PPR scheme is meant for transitional or temporary housing for low-income B40 families, allowing them to rent at heavily subsidized rates while stabilizing their household finances. Tenancy agreements are for three years and are not automatic, with tenants required to undergo reassessment upon expiration. The board noted breaches involving several units, including tenants owning other properties, households with incomes exceeding the eligibility limit, subletting units to third parties, and violations of house rules.

Enforcement was necessary to ensure fairness to other applicants on the waiting list. The board claimed to have conducted outreach sessions and interviews with affected tenants and heirs since January 16th of the previous year, advising eligible residents to consider the RTO scheme if they no longer qualified for PPR. They stated that affected residents had been given sufficient time to make relocation arrangements, with notices of termination and vacant possession issued on December 31st of the previous year, and physical enforcement carried out on September 3rd, providing affected families additional time to seek alternative accommodation.