SHAH ALAM: Homes and residences cannot be converted into hostels for foreign workers according to guidelines set by the Housing and Local Government Ministry last year.
State Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Committee chairman, Ng Sze Han, said only certain commercial premises were allowed to be converted to become foreign workers' hostels.
"If we refer to the latest guidelines issued by the ministry last year, we do not allow homes and residences to be turned into hostels for foreign workers.
"However, shophouses and commercial premises or certain suitable sites can be allowed to be converted as hostels," he said during the question and answer session at the state legislative assembly sitting here earlier today.
Ng was answering additional questions from Mohd Fakh rulrazi Mohd Mokhtar (PH-Meru) about homes and residences that had been turned into hostels for foreign workers in Meru.
On the increase of such hostels in the Kampung Baru Balakong Industrial Area in Cheras, Ng said the state government, through the Kajang Municipal Council, had already approved the planning permission, infrastructure plan and building plan.
"Early works at the site have already begun such as cleaning, installation works and putting up of project signages as well as other related building work such as piling which began on Nov 1," he said.
Ng said the Selangor State Development Corporation had also offered assistance for the setting up of such hostels in the state and had already identified a few suitable and strategic sites.