This follows the revelation that the leases for their homes, which are Kuching’s oldest low-cost housing flats, have yet to be renewed by the Kuching South City Council (MBKS).
According to Sarawak DAP, 532 families residing in the flats and houses in Ban Hock Road are affected, with the leases for two separate lots expiring on Jan 25 and May 25, respectively.
The properties comprise 22 flats, terrace houses and a fire station, all located adjacent to the city’s landmark cat statue in Padungan, and within walking distance from the popular Kuching Waterfront.
At the moment, the flats are being let out to low-income families at a monthly rent of RM110 for a flat and RM179 for a terrace house.
Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei said there had been no response from MBKS nor the state government.
“I have written to Local Government Minister Sim Kui Hian and Chief Minister Adenan Satem requesting that the leases be extended,” Wong said.
He also said that there were a number of units left vacant, despite there being a very long waiting list to rent the flats.
Meanwhile, Kuching South Mayor James Chan said the council applied to renew the land leases in 2010 but the applications had not been approved.
“The delay in renewing the leases has led to speculation that the government intends to repossess the land for other development purposes,” Wong said, adding that the renewal of land leases should not take more than six months.
He further alleged that private developers were eyeing the valuable piece of land in the heart of Kuching.
Wong asked Sim, who is president of the Barisan Nasional component Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), to clear the air over the issue.
“Will the poor lose their homes?”