Mosquito traps a must for new housing projects

PETALING JAYA: Developers are now required to install mosquito traps at all new housing projects following the detection of zika cases in the country.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said the requirement must be met before any new developer's licence is approved.
"We are asking developers to play a more active role in managing and reducing Dengue fever cases and to prevent the spread of the zika virus in the country," he told reporters after opening the 19th National Housing and Property Summit here today.
Earlier this week, Noh announced the mandatory installation of mosquito traps at all new People's Housing Programme projects and projects to upgrade recreational areas that come under his ministry.
Three zika cases have been reported in Malaysia, including a 27-year-old pregnant woman from Johor Baru who was tested positive yesterday, and is now warded at a government hospital there.
Noh also said that the ministry would set up a "Youth Transit Home" for newly married couples and young singles.
"It will have studio-concept units covering an area of 37.1612m² and will only be for rent, not for sale," he said.
He said the transit home idea was put into practice two years ago when some 300 units at Bukit Jalil were set aside for newly married couples who had difficulty finding a place to stay.
Asked about the rental cost and eligibility criteria, Noh said these would be finalised after the tabling of the budget next month.
Noh also said that there were 18 abandoned housing projects across the country, 12 of which were in Selangor. He could not recall how many units of houses were involved. — Bernama