SEREMBAN: All government low-cost flats nationwide will be spruced up beginning next month to prevent the buildings becoming eyesores.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heungsaid the Cabinet decided on this during a recent meeting.

Authorities would carry out painting and other upgrading work at the flats under the “My Good Neighbourhood” campaign.

“Some of these blocks of flats look so run-down but there is nothing much the residents can do because they can’t afford to maintain the area.

“Residents’ associations are also having problems collecting as little as RM20 from the tenants every month and that is why these places have remained neglected,” he said, adding that his ministry would gather information from local councils on areas that needed sprucing up.

Among the first to benefit from the project would be residents living in several blocks of flats in Lobak, near here, and in Alor Setar, Kedah.

He said RM3.8mil has been allocated for the Lobak project and RM5.6mil for the one in Alor Setar.

Chor said the programme would be carried out under the government-initiated Blue Ocean Strategy and several other ministries would be involved.

“We hope to cover as many public housing schemes as possible,” he said.

Asked on the amount allocated by the Government for the programme, Chor said this would depend on the number of housing schemes identified by the local councils.

“We will work within our means and apply for the allocations accordingly,” he added.

-The STAR-