KOTA TINGGI: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has rebranded the hardcore poor housing programme (PPRT) to Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS) in a move to change the community's perception and mindset.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the exercise includes increasing the size of PPRS units to 680sq ft based on national housing standards and policies, and introducing a rent-to-own concept.
"I hope other ministries involved in providing housing for the people will follow suit, especially the Housing and Local Government Ministry, as well as state governments, state housing departments, and local authorities," he told reporters after summarising the ministry’s retreat at a hotel near here on Friday (July 26).
"We must adopt this concept to not only follow national housing policies but also change the mindset and preferences of stakeholders, especially the buyers and residents of low-cost housing," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said this year, the ministry has allocated RM460.4mil to construct 3,000 new PPRS units and refurbish 12,600 existing units.
"Over 10,000 units were built under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
"We will build more during the 13th Malaysia Plan because we can reduce costs, especially for land and infrastructure, by sharing these expenses with state governments, local authorities, and government-linked companies," he said. – Bernama
