IRATE homeowners in an abandoned low-cost housing project in Taman Sri Purnama Phase 3 in Marang, Terengganu, have accused the state government of ignoring their complaints for the past four years.

Their so-called homes are empty shells, some without roofs, which are now overgrown with weeds, but they are still paying loan instalments, they told The Malaysian Insight.

The group said Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokthtar has been ignoring their complaints, letters and even a peaceful demonstration.

The abandoned low-cost housing project – commissioned by the state to a private developer – lies in Samsuri’s state constituency of Ru Rendang, which lies within the Marang parliamentary constituency.

Homeowner Abdul Halim Mohamed, who said there is no sign of the project’s revival, is a representative for 120 affected home buyers.

“The memorandum was submitted last year. Then a letter was sent on March 16 but there has been no development since.

“We also staged a demonstration at the project site but have not received any response from the state government or the menteri besar.”

Halim, 34, said the project was undertaken by a private developer on government land and was supposed to be completed in 2018.

The low-cost terrace houses were valued at between RM73,000 and RM145,000 in 2016, he said.

The project came to a stop when the developer faced financial problems, Halim said.

In October last year, the house buyers were informed that the Terengganu housing development exco had met with the developer, who reportedly promised to resume construction.

“However, till today, there has been no movement at the site. When we ask, they give us so many excuses.

“They just change the resumption date.”

Loan still has to be paid

Halim said the group has taken the matter to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and informed their MP, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

“No matter how many times we have gone to the ministry or the MB’s office, nothing is happening.

“This is really disappointing because we are badly affected by this situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, owners are feeling the financial strain of their loans, Halim added. Some have also taken loans from the Public Sector Home Financing Board (LPPSA).

Halim said the group is considering legal action if no response from the state is forthcoming.

Another owner, Rakish Mohamad, said homes have become damage as a result of four years of neglect.

There is now soil erosion and a small stream has formed on-site, he said.

“Raja Kamarul Bahrin took up the issue and made a viral post about it, and only then did the developer build a drain to divert water away from the houses,” Rakiah said, referring to the Pakatan Harapan Terengganu chairman.

Rakish, 46, said she is now saddled with paying off a loan for a house she is not even sure she will own.

“I’m nearing 50 and had hopes of living in my own house but four years have passed and it is still not ready.

“What’s worse is that we are doubly burdened with paying instalments and rent for where we are currently living,” she sighed.

The Malaysian Insight is awaiting a response from Haji Alias Razak, chairman of the local government, housing, health and environment committee.

Meanwhile, the developer, Grand East Devoplement, told The Malaysian Insight that work would resume after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The firm’s project manager Abdul Ghani Ibrahim said the project of 120 units was 70% complete, with instructions from the ministry to finish by year-end.

He also admitted that the company had been facing financial problems, which had delayed the project.

“We applied for a grant from the state government, which is supposed to be for phase 4 of another 212 low-cost units in the same housing project.

“We intended to use the grant to complete the 120 units in phase 3, but there was a delay with the grant, so what could we do?” he said.

Ghani added that the company still has to settle previous debts.

“We also wanted to hand over the project to another developer, but there hasn’t been any interest, so this also contributed to our financial issues and delays. – April 25, 2022.