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Overrun with undergrowth
14/03/2007 The Star By Sira Habibu
Almost half of the 614 units in the first phase of the housing estate built
by the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) in 1996 are yet to be occupied
after 11 years.
Lada general manager Datuk Kamarulzaman Abd Gani said he had already given
the order to clear the undergrowth.
“It is difficult maintaining houses that are not occupied,” he said.
He added that some interested buyers had problems securing bank loans for
the houses which cost between RM48,000 and RM80,000.
Kamarulzaman said the certificate of fitness (CF) for the project was only
obtained about four months ago.
He said that the delay was due to some technical problems.
“We have rectified the problems, including making sure that the sewerage
system is built according to specification,” he said.
Langkawi district officer Mansor Ismail said the Langkawi Municipal Council
delayed issuing the CF because certain regulations were not complied with.
He said the CF was issued on Nov 20 last year for the 200 medium-cost
terrace units, 134 low medium-cost terrace units and 280 low-cost terrace
units. Special consideration was however given to victims of a fire in Bukit
Malut two years ago.
They were then offered 183 of the terraces houses although the CF had yet to
be issued.
Taman Nilam community leader Musa Abd Rahman said the fire victims moved in
on Feb 2, 2005.
“Most of the fire victims took up the offer to stay in Taman Nilam.
“However, some declined for various reasons. Some could not afford to pay
the RM150 rental while others felt that the housing estate was not suitable
for fishermen,” he said, adding that most of the victims were fishermen.
Musa said the fresh batch of Bukit Malut fire victims who lost their homes
in a fire last month would be moving to longhouses that would be built for
them near a river mouth in Kisap.
The recent fire affected about 298 families. It is learnt that two families
who are not Malaysian citizens would not be getting replacement units.
“I think this new location will be suitable for the victims who are mostly
fishermen and their families.
“The river mouth in Sungai Kisap hardly dries out during low tide. The
fishermen can go to sea any time,” he said. |
