Seputeh: The parking area at the Kuchai Jaya Flats in Seputeh here is riddled with overgrown bushes and potholes, as well as puddles of stagnant black water which emit a nauseating stench. It turns out that the foul-smelling water is caused by leaking sewage pipes from the residential units in the four six-storey apartment blocks built during the 1980s. Cracked walls, dark corridors, and clogged drains are also a common sight throughout the area.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saiful, a 33-year-old resident of the low-cost flats, has been renting a unit there for RM350 a month for the past 10 years. He mentioned that the condition of the flats and facilities had deteriorated over the years due to a complete lack of maintenance. Saiful, who lives on the fifth floor with his heavily pregnant wife, expressed his concern over the out-of-order lift and joked about his wife possibly giving birth on the stairs.
Kuchai Jaya Flats residents’ representative Hamid Kadir, 55, shared that two people died of dengue a
few years ago, and the condition of the flats has resulted in property value declines. Hamid, who bought his unit in the 1990s for RM20,000, noted the stark contrast between the flats and the nearby 42-storey condominium, where units are priced at around RM800,000.
The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) public flats at Jalan Kuching have also suffered, with abandoned blocks becoming hotspots for criminal activities. Ridzwan Mohd Ali, the residents’ association treasurer, mentioned that these abandoned blocks have become shelters for foreigners and the homeless.
Despite these challenges, residents are hopeful as the Kuchai Jaya Flats area is among 139 sites earmarked for redevelopment by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) under the government’s urban renewal plan. Over 70 percent of residents have agreed to participate in the redevelopment project, which aims to provide them with replacement units.
The successful urban renewal project of 1 Razak Mansion in Salak Selatan serves as an example. Residents
there moved from cramped homes to more comfortable units with additional facilities, following successful negotiations and engagement sessions.
Based on statistics from PLANMalaysia, 534 potential redevelopment sites have been identified across Peninsular Malaysia. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is drafting the Urban Renewal Bill to facilitate these efforts, suggesting a new threshold for owners’ consent to redevelop properties.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming emphasized that the new Act is meant to support residents in aging urban areas, ensuring their safety and well-being. The proposed Urban Renewal Act aims to address the challenges posed by urban decay and to prevent the decline of property values.
The Institute of Real Estate and Housing Developers Association noted that urban renewal is essential to avoid severe social and economic problems. Warning signs of urban decay are visible in several areas, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive urban renewal plans.