“BETTER” does not always mean good for squatters, who have been moved out of illegal settlements to People’s Housing Projects (PPR).

Though the housing infrastructure is an improvement compared with zinc-roof and cement-floor structures, there are still things that residents miss from their old villages.

Hardest of all is the increased living costs for these families, who are low-wage earners, and the lack of space that comes with living in densely populated high-rise buildings.

Rosliza Darus, who lives at the Kampung Limau PPR flats, said she missed her old squatter village, where she could walk out to a garden patch in her compound and plant whatever she wanted.

“Now, I just have a miserable flower pot outside my front door. I tried planting chillies, but nothing grew due to the lack of sunlight. I am growing limes inside a room where sunlight gets in,” the 52-year-old housewife said.

The mother of three, who moved into block 96 in 2006, said one of the biggest changes was the higher cost of living.

“City living is not cheap. In the past, we could grow our own veggies. Now, we buy them from the wholesale market once a week.

“If we run out of chillies, one or two at the grocery store will cost RM1,” said the grandmother, who looks after two grandchildren in her flat.

Rosliza said there was a garden patch downstairs, but she could not handle going up and down due to her age.

Many residents carry out gardening, and vegetables can be seen planted in every corner between blocks 94 and 96. There are even pigeon coops.

Another resident, Rahmah Tit Eton, plants herbs like laksa leaf (daun kesum) and lemongrass, which she often uses when cooking.

“It is expensive to buy lemongrass. Just one or two will cost RM1. Better to plant our own,” said the 74-year-old.

The Kampung Limau PPR flats are colourful high-rise blocks of low-cost housing between the New Pantai Expressway and the Klang River, one of many projects implemented by the government to relocate squatters and free up land for new development.

Those who earn below RM2,500 a month qualify to live there.

In the 2017 Budget, Prime Minister Najib Razak said 9,850 homes under the PPR programme would be built this year, to achieve a total of 11, 250 such homes.

They will be sold at between RM35,000 and RM42,000 per unit, although the actual cost of construction is between RM120,000 and RM160,000.

About 90 families from the Kampung Limau squatter village now occupy the PPR flats. There are also families from the Kampung Kerinchi squatter area.

Rosliza’s brother, Asman Darus, 40, said he found himself spending more money on unexpected things after moving into the flats.

He recalls how the old village lifestyle allowed people to engage more with their natural surroundings, which gave children a chance to nurture their creativity.

“As children, we made toys out of natural materials. We made our own little shed. Nowadays, we have to buy toys from stores.

“In the old days, we could also play in the Klang River, but look at how dirty the water is now,” said the part-time handyman.

A quick check of the surroundings at the flats revealed a vandalised playground and the absence of a proper open space for the community.

Children were running around in the common area, and up and down the stairs without a care.

Asman said the sense of community spirit that was present at the squatter village was also lost.

He remembers how the older folk would grow corn in the village and the youngsters would help them.

“We all shared and enjoyed the corn later.”

Today, residents have little to do together because of their cramped living space.

Rosliza said city life had eroded the old neighbourhood spirit as residents had to work harder and longer hours to cover living costs.

“It is good that we no longer face flood problems, but we have become less friendly with our neighbours. We talk less with our neighbours. Everyone comes home from work, goes into their flat and shuts the door. Everyone minds his or her own business.”

It is no wonder that during The Malaysian Insight’s visit to the flats, most of the residents who could be seen were the elderly. They keep the environment at the flats as homely and peaceful as possible with their gardening, while working adults are out earning a living and children play at the damaged playground.

Sahudin Aripin, 64, spends much of his time nursing potted plants on the road shoulder and by the side of the building, and has a small coop with about 10 pigeons.

“Luckily for us, Kuala Lumpur City Hall allows us to use the space as long as we keep it clean and orderly,” said the father of six.

Rahmah also finds comfort in gardening, saying the routine kept her active.

“I won’t be at peace if I don’t see greenery around my home. I like seeing plants grow.” – September 3, 2017.