Many NGOs which are experienced in working with families living in low-cost housing say Kuala Lumpur’s oldest public flats are unsuitable habitats for the city’s poor.

Malaysia Institute of Planners president Mohamad Nazri Jaafar said the flats were not in keeping with Kuala Lumpur’s progression into a modern, sophisticated city and were out of place with the surrounding development.

“They served the purpose of providing housing for the poor back during the First Five Year Plan from 1956 to 1960.

“But now that we enjoy a better quality of life, we must not neglect these public housing areas. There must be social integration, by relocating the residents to new housing areas.”

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun hoped that the flats could be sold to the residents after 2005 when the zero-squatter deadline for all settlements was met.

“This can be a long-term solution, as owning their own homes will instill a sense of pride and belonging in the flat dwellers,” he said.

“Currently, only some 50% of residents are owners. Each unit pays RM35 in maintenance fees, some higher. It would be better for the residents to form their own management committee to maintain their areas once they get a chance to own their own homes.”

Titiwangsa MP Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz said he had raised the issue of the Pekeliling Flats to City Hall numerous times.

“Just because there are plans to relocate the residents do not mean they are to be neglected in the meantime.

“But City Hall is evasive about the eventual relocation. They also can’t seem to cope with maintaining these old flats, as the local authority receives hundreds of complaints daily.”

The selling price of low-cost homes was fixed at RM25,000 per unit in 1982.

However, from 1998 the amount was increased to a maximum of RM42,000 per unit, to increase the supply and improve the quality.

Social worker James Nayagam of Shelter Home said many of the flats did not provide suitable conditions for families as family members of all ages were crammed together in one small unit.

“There is no area for privacy. Parents return home tired and there is no quiet spot to rest. Tension grows. This easily leads to conflict, adding to an already troubled environment,” he added.

Why is vandalism persistent in nearly every low-cost flat? Defaced walls, broken lampposts and obscenities and graffiti scrawled on walls and lifts are common features.

“Vandalism is a frustrated and destructive expression of low self esteem,” said Nayagam, adding that vandals were out for mischief and to challenge the authorities.

“We seldom find vandalism in condominiums. People pay hefty sums to upkeep their environments and they live up to the expectations of their surroundings.

Nayagam said the high number of suicides during the earlier years of the Pekeliling Flats reflected the culture where suicide was the only option for many.

“The suicide rate has decreased today for many reasons such as better opportunities and more positive thinking.

“Many of KL’s old public flats have become high-rise housing slums. Space and sense of privacy are so important to a human being, especially in a confined, depressive setting.”