Federal government to set up special loans unit for public housing tenants

The setting up of the special body that will offer loan facility for the tenants of Public Housing (PA) and People’s
Housing Project (PPR) to purchase their units is in the final stage.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said the proposal on the matter will be tabled to the Cabinet for approval in August.

“This is a short-term proposal aimed at helping some 24,000 PA and PPR tenants who are having problems in getting bank loan to purchase their units.

“Unlike banks, this special body will give leeway, in terms of loan requirements, to help the applicants, especially those who are above the age of 50, to own a house,” he told reporters after opening Setiawangsa Umno divisional meeting yesterday.
However, he said if the tenants failed to repay the loan given by the special body, it would have the right to take further action involving the asset.

Prior to this, the minister said government had encouraged the PA and PPR tenants to purchase their units, but not many had taken up the offer and hence, continued to cause problems to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall with their rental
arrears.

Raja Nong Chik said about 20 per cent of the PPR tenants in the Federal Territories had failed to pay their rents.

“For those who really cannot afford it, we will try to help them to pay the arrears by asking the cooperation and assistance from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

“However, for those who can afford it, those who can even subscribed to Astro and owned a car but still refused to pay the rent, we will not compromise and we will probably take stern action against them,” he said.

In a separate event, Raja Nong Chik said the ministry was intensifying its efforts to promote Federal Territories’ state anthem especially in schools and educational institutions to inculcate the spirit of patriotism among the people
in the Federal Territories.

“Our main objective is to create a more caring society in Federal Territories as we are all here to earn a living,” he told reporters after presenting Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan’s Excellence Award.

Raja Nong Chik said the ministry would also seek the cooperation from the relevant agencies to promote the state anthem.

“We will convene a meeting with the relevant agencies soon, but the anthem must be promoted among the schoolchildren first,” he said.

The state anthem, entitled “Maju dan Sejahtera” was launch by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the Federal Territories’ Day 2011 last February.

– Bernama