KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — The capital’s public housing schemes are receiving a major aesthetic and safety facelift, with City Hall (DBKL) foregoing garish paint schemes for neutral tones while overhauling critical electrical infrastructure across dozens of ageing buildings.
Speaking during a working visit to People’s Housing Programme (PPR) Taman Mulia in Bandar Tun Razak today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said that DBKL made a deliberate shift away from the bright, multi-coloured exteriors long associated with government flats.
Accompanying her on the site inspection were Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud and Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“I would like to add that the colours chosen by DBKL are neutral colours, for the residents to know that this is a residential area and not a kindergarten.
“Many PPRs have been colourful, so we have chosen neutral colours,” she said.
Aside from the cosmetic exterior refresh, Yeoh said that the priority remains addressing life-threatening structural risks.
DBKL partnered with the Institution of Engineers Malaysia to conduct comprehensive technical audits across public housing schemes and municipal flats citywide, targeting deteriorating electrical risers and wiring to avert catastrophic fire hazards.
At PPR Taman Mulia, DBKL committed RM6.67 million in restorative works for roughly 2,128 residents. The project includes RM3.48 million towards repainting the towers, RM2.55 million to replace sub-main cabling and main switchboards, RM370,000 for internal road resurfacing, and RM272,000 to modernize fire prevention systems.
Mayor Fadlun said the citywide rehabilitation drive is moving steadily, with around 70 per cent of targeted projects completed. DBKL set 64 public housing sites for refurbishment in 2026, aiming to cross the 80 per cent completion line before year-end.
“The rest has been allocated for the 2027 budget, which we will continue for the PPRs and PAs that are not ready,” he said.
Fadlun further noted that Putrajaya has earmarked RM446 million in total for upgrading works across public housing estates and municipal flats, tailoring allocations to the specific infrastructural deficits of each scheme.
To ensure financial governance, DBKL plans to erect transparency signboards at individual housing estates displaying line-item expenditure, giving residents a clear accounting of public funds spent on their blocks.
Dr Wan Azizah reminded the community that structural improvements require civic responsibility, urging residents to safeguard shared amenities and combat vandalism.
“I see improvements, mainly in the PPRs area. However, what I would like to suggest is to take care of the infrastructure,” she said, noting that upkeep is indispensable if families are to enjoy secure and dignified living quarters.
Built in 2002, PPR Taman Mulia houses 912 residential units across two 21-storey towers. Having clocked more than two decades of heavy wear and tear, key mechanical and electrical fixtures required substantial rehabilitation to maintain habitability standards.
The estate was handed over to its Joint Management Body (JMB) on Dec 1, 2025, alongside a professional management agent to handle day-to-day estate administration.
DBKL reiterated that preserving public housing standards depends on continuous cooperation between the municipality, building managers, and resident committees.