The Penang state government should bear the full repainting cost of old flats in Penang, said Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Wong Mun Hoe.

Wong said it is the responsibility of the state to pay the full cost to repaint the old low and low-medium cost flats instead of setting conditions that their joint management committees (JMCs) or management committees (MCs) should fork out a portion of the money.

“Repainting is indeed necessary and important to give these flats and apartments a fresh look, a bright and cleaner environment besides erasing the stigma of urban slum, particularly those apartments located in and within the city areas as well as those in established housing estates,” he said outside the state legislative assembly hall on Tuesday. With him is Ng Fook On, Lee Boon Ten, Teoh Hang Chong, Quah Kooi Heong and Lai Chew Hock from Gerakan, and Tang Heap Seng from MCA.

Wong with a group of Gerakan former assemblymen had earlier submitted a memorandum from the Penang Barisan Nasional on the issue addressed to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng that included copies of letters from
several JMC and MC representatives.

Among the apartments and flats requesting for repainting are Lebuh Mahsuri, Lengkok Mahsuri, Jalan Tengah, Taman Jade, Seri Nibong, Taman Alor Vista, Desa Riang and Taman Free School.

The requests from the committees followed news that residents in Rifle Range Flats were told to come up with 20% of the repainting cost while the state would take care of the rest.

Wong said that most of the residents of the flats and apartments concerned are from the lower income group. Thus, they are in no position to contribute towards these repainting costs.

He estimated that it would cost about RM300,000 to paint a block in Rifle Range Flats, so it would be a burden to the people to pay 20 percent.

by Editorial Desk
gerakan4u.com