IPOH: A non-governmental organisation is urging the authorities to redevelop the long neglected Sungai Pari flat complex here, claiming it has become a hotspot for drug abuse, prostitution and other criminal activities due to years of neglect.

AJ Kinta Perak Community Welfare Association president Roslan Ali said the issue had been highlighted for many years.

His comments came after the recent discovery of two teenage friends who had fallen to their deaths from the flats in Buntong.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin had said the victims, both 14, were found unconscious on Friday evening.

Roslan said the Ipoh City Council (MBI) had previously deployed several lorries to clear the area, but claimed no follow-up maintenance was carried out.

“A stairway is frequently used by drug addicts, and the matter had been reported to the police, who had visited the location.

“I do not know what happened after that, but the area continues to be associated with various social problems, including suspected drug activities and prostitution,” he said.

Built in 1963 for low-income families, the scheme consists of a 15-storey tower and 11 four-storey blocks on approximately 1.6ha of council land.

It was reported in the media that residents started to move out one by one on their own in the 1990s, and in 2017, the last 43 families moved out.

Roslan proposed that the four-storey flat complex be refurbished through a public-private initiative, with each block sponsored by prominent corporate figures or philanthropists.

He suggested that basic amenities, including electricity, water and windows, be restored first, while sponsors could later upgrade their respective buildings according to their capabilities.

“I also proposed converting the area into a temporary shelter for homeless people, where they could be given accommodation and opportunities to grow vegetables and other crops.

“The produce could then be supplied to supermarkets and local markets, allowing the residents to earn an income while rebuilding their lives,” he said.

He added that agencies such as MBI, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) should work together to monitor and manage the programme.

“I have shared these ideas with the authorities before, but no action has been taken. Problems will continue if nothing is done,” he said.