KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has  instructed local government authorities (PBT) in Sabah to monitor the People's Housing  Project (PPR) in their respective areas to ensure no abuse of the programme by  recipients.  

He said there have been cases where successful applicants of the programme have  rented out their houses to others to make quick profits.  

"Their actions showed that they do not need the houses thus denying others deserving  such facilities. Hence, I want all PBTs to scrutinise all applications and to strictly monitor  the implementation of the PPR programme in their areas. 

"According to the agreement, those who get the houses under the PPR programme are  not allowed to rent it out," he said during his working visit to the Local Government and  Housing Ministry (MLGH) at Wisma Innoprise, near here today. 

The Chief Minister also disclosed that the State Government had applied for 5,000 PPR  houses for Sabah next year. 

"I have met with the Federal Housing and Local Government Minister (Nga Kor Ming)  recently and requested that 5,000 PPR houses for Sabah be included in the Ministry's  budget for next year," he said. 

Hajiji also urged all PBTs to create more cleanliness awareness programme in their  respective areas. 

He said that lack of cleanliness awareness among the people was among the cause of  the never-ending rubbish problems. 

On the issue of squatter colonies raised during the briefing by the MLGH Permanent  Secretary, Datuk Dr Jamili Nais, Hajiji said it was imperative that the local government  enforcement units nip the matter in the bud. 

"If they see a few structures erected on state land in their areas, they should stop it. Do  not wait until the problem becomes full-blown squatter settlements which will then cause  further complications," he said.

In his briefing, Dr Jamili said there were 281 squatter colonies in Sabah, the highest  being in the state capital, followed by Sandakan and Tawau, adding that three districts,  Kota Belud, Tuaran, and Ranau have zero colonies.  

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also instructed the PBT officers to be more proactive and  to conduct frequent inspections of public amenities such as drainage and street lights in  order to provide the best services to the people. 

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister II/Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri  Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam said various approaches have been taken and  implemented to ensure that all 25 PBTs, departments, and agencies under the ministry  move actively. 

He said that three PBTs have municipal council status following the recent elevation of  the Penampang District Council. 

Dr Joachim said he had set emphasis on poverty eradication in the PBT administrative  areas and taken swift actions to resolve squatter colonies issues. 

"Resolving the squatter issues needs an integrated approach involving all relevant  agencies in the state," he said. 

The meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, State Secretary  Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong and senior officials. 

Ends