Dr M: "I feel lonely in Putrajaya"
PM complains of under-population due to delay in new housing CFs
NST 03/11/2001 By Cheah Chor Sooi
Putrajaya - the new federal administrative capital - has been under-populated despite the availability of thousands of new houses, and the Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, its chief resident, complained today that he is feeling "lonely."
He blamed the problem on delays in issuing certificate of fitness for occupation which prevented many civil servants from moving into their newly
bought homes.
"I feel lonely as it seems that I am all alone here ... I am the second longest staying resident of Putrajaya after former Chief Secretary to the
Government Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali."
"I was told by the Election Commission that there are only 28 registered voters in Putrajaya, which according to the Commission's chairman Datuk
Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, will simply mean less complaints from the electorate."
"I hope more civil servants will flock this place and not only during gatherings such as family days. We should appreciate the fact that there are
not many countries which have an administrative city like ours."
Dr Mahathir was addressing staff of the Prime Minister's Department after opening its family day at Taman Wetland.
Also present were Dr Mahathir's wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Cheif Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, Minister in the
PM's Department Datuk Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin and Deputy Prime Minister in the PM's Department Tengku Datuk Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Speaking to reporters later, Dr Mahathir said he came to know of the reason why civil servants were not moving into their new homes when he
inquired about the reluctance of one of his bodyguards to stay in Putrajaya.
"He told me that he has purchased his house for some time already but has yet to obtain his CF. I assume that there are many other homes which
have yet to receive their CFs," he said.
"If the houses are ready, it would only be appropriate that the relevant authorities speed up CF issuance to their buyers."
Asked if he was suggesting that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government should look into the matter, Dr Mahathir added:
"I am asking this because thousands of houses have been sold in Putrajaya. It will take time to inspect each and every house. This is unlike
high-rise buildings where random sample is deemed as sufficient."
The first phase of the Putrajaya affordable houses where each unit is 700 sq ft in size and sold at RM49,000 each, is located in Precinct Nine and
comprises 1,204 units. The project was expected to be completed by middle of this year.
A total of 10,000 affordable houses would be built in Putrajaya in phases until 2010.
Currently, civil servants enjoy a 25 per cent discount for properties bought in and around Putrajaya. These include bungalows, semi-detached
units, townvillas, terrace houses and condominiums which are built by Putrajaya Holdings or any other developer appointed by it.
Priority to own these units would be given to civil servants who are already working in Putrajaya, those earmarked to move there and those working
in the surrounding areas.
The buyers will be subject to several regulations if they are successful. These include a 20-year moratorium on the houses, and the transfer of
ownership only to spouses or children.
To date, 14 ministries and federal departments have shifted to the new federal administrative centre in Putrajaya, while 20 others still remained
in Kuala Lumpur.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry is the latest ministry to shift to the 4,931-ha Putrajaya, which was declared as Federal Territory on Feb 1 this
year. |
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