In Seremban, 'poorest of poor' tenants flee flats as city council breaks down doors

A group of tenants who failed to pay their rent at a government housing project for the hardcore poor in Lobak, Seremban, have fled before their doors were broken down by the Seremban City Council, raising questions about their current whereabouts and fate.

Checks by MalaysiaNow found that only one of the six units in question remains occupied. The doors of four units were broken down while the other two were locked.

"They discussed the matter with the council which asked them to pay half of the arrears – RM34,000," a relative of the only remaining family said.

"But they didn't have the money. They were given 14 days to pack their things, after which they would be evicted."

The family, which had hung a cloth to cover their empty door frame, would say no more and refused to be interviewed by MalaysiaNow.

At one of the abandoned units, however, personal belongings including a television and family portraits were still scattered about.  

A neighbour said that the family of four had left the unit after receiving a notice pasted on the wall.

"I'm not sure where they went or why they were unable to pay their rent," the man who introduced himself as Ganesh added.

The same appeared to have happened to another tenant, who was seen leaving her home after receiving a similar notice.

According to her neighbours, she was an Indian woman in her 50s who lived alone.

The events at the flats have raised questions about the original intent of the units, which were built under the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme or PPRT and meant to accommodate those in the lowest income bracket.

MalaysiaNow has contacted the city council and Seremban MP Anthony Loke for a response.

There are 200 units at the Lobak PPRT, the majority of which are occupied by Indian tenants.

In a statement on Feb 27, the city council said it had taken down the doors of the units involved as a lesson to the tenants to pay their arrears.

"Nevertheless, they are allowed to remain on the premises for now or seek accommodation elsewhere," it said.

It said a total of RM1.8 million in arrears was owed.