Kota Kinabalu: All residents of the Tanjung Aru low-cost flats, which have been declared unsafe to live in, will vacate the place after Hari Raya Aidiladha in July this year, said Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA) Chairman Datuk Masiung Banah.
That has been agreed upon by the residents and SHTDA, he said, adding negotiations between the residents and SHTDA officials were continuing and going on well.
“The (low-cost flat) residents have given good cooperation to us (SHTDA).
“So far, 40-50 residents have left voluntarily and there are other residents who have asked for a postponement to allow them to celebrate the fasting month and also Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.
“They (residents) already understand the situation they are facing and have given good cooperation. We will allow them to stay until after Hari Raya Aidiladha before moving out.
“That was at their request and I have instructed my officers to give due consideration to their request,” he said, adding there may be about 100 to 200 or more who have not yet moved.
Masiung told reporters this when asked about the latest development of the issue after he attended a Menu Rahmah testing session at Pak Mus Restaurant in Tanjung Aru Plaza, here, Monday.
According to him, this latest development followed a report from one of the consultants who had been appointed based on a joint decision made by the residents and SHTDA.
“The consultant has recommended that the flats be demolished because if repaired the cost would be very high, that is up to RM20 million, which SHTDA does not have the capacity for that.
“The second suggestion by the consultant is to demolish the flat building because it is no longer safe as at any time the ceiling may fall and so on, and we are worried that some of the residents will get injured,” he said.
