Squatters in their own house

Sunday Mail 01/04/2001 By Muzli Mohd Zin Pictures by S.Sugumaran

Abandoned housing project in Taman Dalma, Semenyih

AFTER waiting for seven years, Yahya Abu and his family finally moved into their low-cost home in Taman Dalma, Semenyih, Kajang, Selangor, last week.

The only thing stopping the 40-year-old general worker from calling it his "dream house" is that it is not completed as work on the project had stopped in 1995!

Without basic amenities such as water and electricity supply, Yahya has to resort to tapping electricity from the developer's site office opposite his house.

Family of seven forced to stay in their incomplete house

With the help of his five children, he uses containers to get some clean water from a factory about a kilometre away. They do this twice a day.

For washing, Yahya and his family use rain water collected in a manhole.

"I had no choice but to move in, even if I had to squat in my own home.

"I don't earn much. I can't afford to pay the housing loan instalments of  RM150 per month and house rent of RM300 a month" said Yahya, who is a general worker at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, earning about RM800 a month.

He said he started repaying the loan since 1995 when the project was scheduled to be completed.

His wife, Fauziah Mohd Ishak, also 40, is a housemaker and is five months pregnant.

Three of their children - Farhana, 14, Farahin, 12, and Farhimah, 10 - are schooling. Their fourth, Yasirah, six attends a kindergarten and the youngest, Mohd Yazid, is nine months old.

Yahya said the housing scheme was launched in 1991 and almost all the 106 units were taken up. Each unit was priced at RM25,000.

Dream becomes a nightmare

He said work on the project stopped because the developer had financial problems.

A few years ago, Yahya complained to the Housing Ministry but was told to discuss the matter with the developer.

"Some buyers also sought assistance from community leaders but to no avail.

"Back then, it was like a dream come true to be able to have a place to call our own, and I was proud of it.

"I know it is miserable but and hard for all of us now.

"I am also aware I am taking a risk occupying the house without a certificate of fitness, but what to do?"

Yahya hoped some parties would help to revive the project.

Developer to hold meeting

As we were about to leave, an employee turned up.

The employee, who declined to be identified, said the company was aware of the matter and the problems faced by the house buyers.

"I advise you to speak to the person-in-charge (who is unavailable) to get a clearer picture of the situation faced by both parties."

He said the company would arrange for a meeting for the paper to get more details on the matter with both the company and Taman Dalma Houseowners' Committee participating.