KUALA LUMPUR: The government is reviewing plans to establish a new policy with regard to the occupancy period for government quarters, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the exit policy for government quarters, if implemented, should not be carried out in a simplistic manner.
"The Property and Management Division (under the Prime Minister's Department) is reviewing plans to establish a new policy regarding the occupancy period.
"However, based on the discussion done between the ministry and officials, it is concluded that the exit policy should not be implemented simplistically, such as merely imposing a maximum occupancy period of 10 years for residents.
"Instead, special consideration should be given to residents with specific needs, such as health factors or plans to retire (early) and return to their hometowns.
"These groups should be given the flexibility to continue living in the quarters without a fixed period limit," she said during the minister's question time.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek read the answers on behalf of Dr Zaliha.
She said this in response to Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) who asked whether the government will introduce an exit policy for quarters residents and consider building more Malaysia Civil Servants Housing Programme (PPAM) houses to encourage those who have lived in quarters for over 10 years to own their own houses.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha added that while government quarters are a facility for public officials in need, the General Order Chapter E of Government Houses and Office Buildings specifies that the government only provides housing for those required to live near their workplace or in remote areas without private rental options.
"Currently, the existing priority policy gives special consideration to civil servants facing difficulties or those classified as persons with disabilities, allowing them to receive offers for government quarters earlier.
"Newly appointed young civil servants must wait their turn through the standard procedures in place."
She added that the PPAM application is open to civil servants on permanent or contract appointments serving with the government, state government, state authorities, local authorities, federal statutory bodies and state statutory bodies.
She also said the application has also been extended to retired government officers.
"Currently, approximately 1,300,680 civil servants are still in service, while 950,356 have retired.
Of the 1.3 million still serving, 688,663 (52.95 per cent) do not yet own a home, with the majority 431,277 being from the implementation group.
"Based on current homeownership data on civil servants and retirees, the Special High-Level Committee on PPAM on June 22 agreed that PPAM housing applications should be reserved for permanent or contract public servants and retirees, especially those with low and middle incomes."