The low-income group has long been plagued by the problem of accessing low-cost housing, either those in the public or private sector. Some choose to negotiate with the developers while others register with the state authority to be allocated low-cost units.

No doubt government policy on low-cost units is clear, but those who are forced to face the entrenched political practices, bureaucratic red-tape and 'money power' will beg to differ.

Below are several examples of those who have and are battling for their basic rights to proper decent housing in Selangor.

P Meenambal, 45, lives in a high-rise flat in Kampung Kayu Ara. She was previously living in a squatter colony at Bukit Lanjan, Damansara. She claims that political interference and corruption are the two main impediments in getting access to low-cost housing.

Last month, she said, 22 families were called for interview in Petaling Jaya by the PKNS - the Selangor state economic development corporation.

"But when I went there on a follow-up visit today, I saw how several politicians abused the system to get the allocation for low-cost housing.

"I was told that our applications were being assessed for eligibility. Soon after, I saw two local MIC branch leaders with about 20 people. Some came from as far as Tanjung Malim and Rawang to be interviewed."

She said as a result of the long waiting period for low-cost units, many families were forced to rent flats nearby for RM500 while others sought temporary shelter with their children or relatives. "After six years, we are still waiting for low-cost housing," she added.

'Right' people

Meenambal said politicians, policemen and those with 'close political connections' manage to secure low-cost housing units at RM25,000 each much earlier than others who went through the normal channels..

"Then, they rent out these units to the unlucky ones for between RM450 and RM500."

She said some genuine applicants were even asked for 'under-the-table' money of RM2,000 for a low-cost unit with some giving in to the 'offer' as they did not want to be tied down with paying monthly rental for temporary shelter.

Relating a personal experience during a visit to the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, Meenambal said she had asked an officer about applying for a low-cost unit and was told to pay RM2,000 to one 'Thomas' instead.

"When I asked him why, he said all the units had already been allocated to political parties and if I wanted any, then I should approach the 'right' people.

"He advised me not to ask too many questions and mocked me for being suspicious. Later, he dared me to report the matter to the Anti-Corruption Agency." At the end of the day, she laments, it is the poor who are left without a roof over their heads with all these obstacles.

T Mohan, 40, from Kampung Sungai Nipah, felt that cost was only part of the low-cost housing problem.

Problematic areas

He listed red-tape, unreasonable requirements of applicants and for loan qualification plus isolated locations were some of the other hindrances in the low-cost housing field.

"Some applications are rejected for failure to show financial stability or a steady income source. This affects people with no children, or very young ones and those without any financial support," he said.

"They are advised to look for a sponsor and re-submit the application. Even then, there is no guarantee of securing a unit."

Mohan said to top it all, successful applicants had to fork out about RM300 a month to pay for building maintenance, water, electricity, sinking fund, quit rent, insurance and assessments.

"How can someone earning a few hundred ringgit afford this every month?"

Other problematic areas faced by low-cost housing aspirants include the filling up of application forms and the constricted availability of low-cost units.

"The forms are very complicated and pose a major problem for the unschooled or the illiterate. They are mostly villagers, plantation workers, labourers and odd-jobbers," added Mohan.

"Despite all these hardships, some are prepared to pay up to RM42,000 for a simple, decent house but the government turns them down saying that no units are available."

The ineligibility of applicants for housing loans is another problem. "Applicants have to earn no less than RM1,500 a month to be eligible for a loan. But what about estate workers who only earn a RM325 monthly wage?" asked Mohan.

He also took developers to task for putting their obligatory low-cost projects on hold and instead giving priority to their more lucrative luxury terrace or bungalow units.

No recourse

At Ladang Sungai Rinching, about 15 kilometers from Kajang, ex-plantation workers have their own woes regarding their pursuit of low-cost terrace houses.

T Ramalingam, 49, and 11 other families are adamant on obtaining low-cost houses after hearing 'horror stories' about high-rise living from relatives and friends. He said the developer which took their plantation had promised them terrace houses when the project was launched in 1995, but to date nothing has happened.

"Last September, we were offered RM17,000 as compensation to buy any house in their project but this is ridiculous as the units carry price-tags well above RM100,000," he said, adding the developer resorted to employing underhand tactics by making individual offers."

He said whenever villagers asked the developer for RM25,000 houses, they were told that this price was no longer applicable and that they ould have to pay a higher price due to rising construction and land costs.

"But the problem is with the government. If the government wills it, anything is possible. Land premium can be reduced and developers can be ordered to build low-cost terrace houses instead of flats," argued Ramalingam.

He said those aged above 50 also faced problems getting housing loans. "What else can they do, where can they go?" He said most of the villagers at Ladang Sungai Rinching were within that age bracket.

He also voiced frustration at state officials who have also failed to keep their promises. "Anyway, we're submitting a letter to this developer soon regarding our willingness to buy RM25,000 low-cost terrace houses before proceeding with any further negotiations," said Ramalingam.

"Copies of this letter will be sent to the state government. If the developer rejects our proposal, we will stay put, and let the courts decide one way or another."