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Ministry clarifies on People’s Housing Programme units: Joachim

30 June 2023
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Dr Joachim said, only tenants still eligible to stay in the PPR houses and want to continue renting after the 10-year period, can be considered for extension by LPPB, with the approval of the Minister of Local Government and Housing. He said the Ministry and LPPB also adopted the recommendation of Chief Minister.

KOTA KINABALU: The recent circular by Sabah Housing and Urban Development Authority (LPPB) ordering tenants who have stayed in People’s Housing Programme (PPR) houses exceeding the 10-year period to vacate only applies to those who have lost the eligibility to continue occupying such homes.

Deputy Chief Minister II cum Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said his Ministry and LPPB apologised for any inconvenience caused by the inaccuracy of the circular to PPR tenants in the State.According to the Sabah State Low Cost House Allocation Policy for Rent which has been in effect since 2018, he said among the criteria that may cause a tenant to lose the eligibility to continue renting LPPB-run PPR houses are:

  1. Occupying the house on a rental basis;
  2. Income exceeding RM3,000.00;
  3. Tenants or spouses have their own home;
  4. Tenants who use the house as their lodging/store; tenants making the house a “homestay” and/or tenants who have rent arrears.

“The Ministry and LPPB will form a Working Committee to implement screening measures on the status of PPR tenants to verify their eligibility status of renting the PPR units.

“This measure is being carried out to ensure that only those eligible and really in need have the opportunity to occupy these houses, as well as to prevent them from seeking profit from renting PPR houses , such as rent-on-rent practices. 

“This will also allow applicants, who are still waiting, to have the opportunity to rent the PPR houses that may or will be vacant later,” Dr Joachim said, in a statement, Wednesday.

The State Cabinet met over the issue on Tuesday.The Cabinet took note on the guidelines of Sabah PPR Rental issued by the Local Government and Housing Ministry that took effect since 2012 where the maximum period allowed for each family to rent in PPR units is 10 years.

However, Dr Joachim said, only tenants still eligible to stay in the PPR houses and want to continue renting after the 10-year period, can be considered for extension by LPPB, with the approval of the Minister of Local Government and Housing.

He said the Ministry and LPPB also adopted the recommendation of Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor to allocate some of the PPR houses operated by LPPB to new graduates as their temporary residence or “transit home” while trying to get jobs and are able to rent or own houses.