KUALA SELANGOR: The government today announced a total of RM75 million in assistance for the construction of People's Housing Projects (PPR) to address housing issues plaguing 245 estate workers in Bestari Jaya.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the construction of 245 units of PPR would be led by the ministry's main housing agency PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA) with strategic partner, Berjaya Corporation Bhd.
He added that the estate workers in Bestari Jaya had been evicted from five estates in the area without a home to live in since 2016, adding that the issue had been ongoing for 26 years (since 1998) when the workers moved to the estates.
The five estates were Ladang Mary, Ladang Nigel Gardner, Ladang Sungai Tinggi, Ladang Minyak and Ladang Bukit Tagar.
"The implementation of the PPR project in Bestari Jaya was approved in 2018, (but) the issue remains unresolved (since 2018), resulting in estate workers being evicted from their current homes and forced to seek shelter at relatives' houses.
"However, due to the (current) government's direction, the project needs to be re-implemented in an open tender to carry out further works.
"Following this, the ministry has re-evaluated the application for the PPR construction affecting 245 estate workers through a strategic partnership with Berjaya.
"The Madani government alongside the state government have also agreed to allocate RM75 million to ensure the success of the project," he said in a press conference, today.
At the same time, Nga added that Berjaya would also provide 20 acres of land at Lot 25, Ladang Sungai Tinggi, Bestari Jaya.
He also said the PPR would benefit about 1,250 residents from 245 estate worker's families.
"We will also expedite the building plan so that the main agency, PR1MA, can complete the project within 24 months from the implementation date.
"A unit of PPR will also comprise three bedrooms and two bathrooms at least for the residents."
Meanwhile, Nga also denied when asked whether the allocation provided for the establishment of PPR was located under the Kuala Kubu Baharu constituency.
"No, this is not related to Kuala Kubu Baharu constituency at all. The estates are located at Bukit Tagar."
Previously, there were calls from former Klang member of Parliament, Charles Santiago, to prioritise the long-standing housing issues in Ladang Bukit Tagar and Ladang Nigel Gardner, particularly affecting the Indian community.
Santiago emphasised that the community's grievances should take precedence over political engagements, urging authorities to provide a platform for direct dialogue.
In response, the government has pledged to tackle these unresolved housing issues comprehensively, striving to find equitable solutions that address the concerns of the Indian community in Bukit Tagar and Ladang Nigel Gardner.