By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 20: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong is calling on the Premier of Sarawak to have the Minister of Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian replaced with “someone competent”.
“The YAB Premier has to appoint someone who is competent, has great patience and can work hard to address housing issues to head the Ministry of Housing, instead of someone who holds onto it but performs below par and does petty politicking every day,” she said.
She claimed that Dr Sim had neglected the ministry and left it in perplexity, while the ministry underperforms and portrays stark inefficiency.
The recent enforcement of the Strata Management Ordinance (SMO) 2019 on March 1, which was 15 months after it was gazetted on Dec 12, 2019, was among the examples of the ministry’s incapability raised by Yong.
She noted, in addition, the non-existence of the Strata (Management and Maintenance) Regulations which disrupts the implementation of SMO 2019, and the Strata Management Tribunal, which is required to be established under Part IX of the SMO 2019.
Meanwhile, Yong (PH-DAP) urged Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, to immediately address the unreasonably high assessment rates imposed by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) on Residensi PR1MA Bintawa Riverfront.
She said she understood from PR1MA Bintawa residents that they had written to MBKS to seek explanation on the assessment rates, but received only excuses.
“The residents are not against paying the rates. They are against the unreasonably high rates and hope that there is room for adjustment to lower it.
“The Minister of Housing must act immediately to address this issue too. The Ministry of Housing together with MBKS must understand the reason why these people chose to buy the units at PR1MA Bintawa.
“It is all because of the affordable pricing despite many restrictions and conditions being imposed including the purchased unit is only meant for self-occupation and cannot be sold off within the initial five years’ period or rented out,” said Yong during a debate at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today. — DayakDaily
