CAMPAIGNERS
for Housing Rights
SOS, 67 Noordin St
Save Our Selves is a coordination centre for residents impacted by the
repeal of Rental Control Act (1966). SOS secretary is a Mr. Ong Boon Keong.
Mr. Ong is present every day from 8pm to provide an open house for tenants
wishing to gain community support against evictions. The group takes means
by which to raise public awareness, fund raising, open idea forums and
give personal support to individuals going to court. Mr.Ong estimated that
the repeal of the rent control act was going to affect over ten thousand
tenants in Penang.
CAP,
Consumers Association of Penang.
A Mr. Manjit Singh, CAP Lawyer
advises tenants on legal proceedings.
He tackles each tenants case individually and tries to negotiate with the
beneficiaries for more time, trying to arrange an agreed payable sum
between tenant and landlord and trying to find appropriate housing
alternatives to the families in question.
Government's
position
A slow dialogue has been going on with the Chief Minister since April 1st
Despite numerous meetings the issue of how to support tenants affected by
high rent increases have not gone very far. The government at present has
provided 500 rental housing for the hardcore poor. Despite three years of
anticipation the State government did nothing to prepare for the housing
and social cultural impact of the rental decontrol.
