Anwar strikes business-as-usual posture

Anwar (fourth from right) with the happy owners who had received mock keys to their homes. — Picture by Jack Ooi

By Neville Spykerman

HULU KLANG, Feb 20 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim moved today to dispel any notion that his role as Selangor economic advisor was being derailed by his sodomy trial by officiating a state programme to rehabilitate abandoned housing projects.

“It’s good the trial has been delayed so I can be here today,” said the 62-year-old opposition leader, who is accused of sodomising his one-time aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

He has denied the allegations and is facing trial, the second time in 12 years he has faced similar charges.

The PKR leader adopted a business-as-usual posture while handing over keys to homeowners of Taman Ukay Bistari flats, a project which is being revived and in various stages of completion after a four-year delay.

The rehabilitation of abandoned housing projects is among six focus areas announced by state government last year as part of efforts to stimulate Selangor’s economy.

Anwar pointed out that the state government "inherited" 141 abandoned housing projects from the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration but would make efforts to revive the projects for the sake of buyers.

“The previous government made a pact with developers rather than the people and now these houses are not built.”

He lamented the lack of political will by the Housing Ministry and unfair laws which favour developers over homebuyers.

“What’s needed is political will and a change in laws,” he said.

He added that at least RM5 billion was needed to revive all the abandoned projects.

However, he said the state would not run away from the responsibility of helping home owners.

Anwar said he would soon meet Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to discuss what funding could be obtained for the purpose of reviving projects which are viable.

Officials from the state government today said at least 40 per cent of the 141 housing projects have been revived and are in various stages of development.