Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said maintenance work for these flats was usually the responsibility of the flat’s joint management bodies or management committees.
“However, those living in low-cost flats face difficulties in forming their own management committees.
“This is because the majority of them do not attend their annual general meetings and those who do attend have no intention of being part of the committee,” he said at a press conference at the DAP headquarters.
Rajiv, a member of PH’s manifesto committee, said PH’s goal was to improve the standard of living of residents in low-cost flats across the country.
“You can search online and see the terrible, dirty conditions at some of these flats. Every Malaysian deserves to live in dignity, even the poorest of us all.
“At present, the maintenance of streets and drains is taken care of by the government.
“If the government can do that, then the same can be done for low-cost flats,” he said.
Asked whether taking over the maintenance of these flats would be costly, Rajiv said it was not expected to exceed RM1 billion.
PH also pledged to address housing loan rejections for first-time house buyers as well as discrimination in the rental market.
Rajiv said PH would bring back its loan-guarantee programme for first-time house buyers. This scheme was introduced when the coalition formed the government, with RM1 billion allocated then.
He said PH would allocate RM3 billion this time for the scheme, with the funds acting as a guarantee for banks giving out loans to first-time home buyers, should the coalition take over Putrajaya.
He also said a housing tribunal would be established for landlords or tenants to file a complaint on any discrimination in the rental market.
“A tribunal would be superior to filing a case in court as the tribunal fees would be cheaper. Tribunals also don’t require lawyers, saving thousands of ringgit in legal fees.
“Tribunals are also more likely to come up with a verdict quickly, giving the landlord or tenant quick relief to their predicament.”