Evicted PPR residents get alternative homes

GEORGE TOWN: After much protest over their eviction from a public housing scheme, five families from the Padang Tembak People's Housing Project (PPR) have been given a respite by the authorities.
Following discussions carried out between state housing exco Jagdeep Singh Deo, the affected families and representatives from non-governmental organisations, four of the families were offered alternative accommidation, while the fifth family was allowed to continue living at their unit.
R. Karthiges, a Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) member lauded the state's move and said it was a timely boost for the families, especially with Hari Raya around the corner.
He said the four families were offered terrace houses in Batu Kawan with a monthly rental of RM170.
He said their overdue monthly rentals were also settled and the keys of their new homes would be handed over to them before Hari Raya.
"This is our victory after the struggle that we faced," he said when contacted.
The affected families have been camping with mattresses and pillows outside the state administration complex in Komtar after being evicted from their homes.
This comes after authorities had locked down their units after the affected families were deemed unqualified under PPR housing guidelines.