Still homeless after 11 years

House buyers of Taman Bayu Tebrau staged a demonstration recently to protest the 11-year delay in the completion of their houses.

The housing project located in Mukim Plentong, Johor Bahru was approved in year 2000, and was scheduled for completion in 2003. There were supposed to be eight blocks, of apartments, comprising 980 units.

However, only two blocks of 140 units were given temporary certificates of fitness by the Johor Bahru Town Council in 2006. Some house buyers were forced to move in even though the apartments had no water and electricity supply, and the lifts were uncompleted.

Chairman of the Persatuan Muhibbah Pemilik Dan Penyewa Pangsapuri Taman Bayu Tebrau, Tan Khai Meng, said the delay has caused financial, marital and relationship problems for the house buyers. He hopes the government and the relevant authorities will do the needful.

Tan also highlighted the serious water leakage of the water tank on the tenth floor, which he hopes will not collapse, as what happened in the Lumba Kuda flats in Johor Bahru.

Tan said he has written to the former and the present prime ministers, the local and state governments, the local and state housing departments, the developer and the elected district representative. None has replied him.

Video by: Christine Leong, Citizen Journalists Malaysia