All smiles: Nga announcing the ministry’s successful achievement of implementing 10 of the 12 planned initiatives his ministry took on. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Housing Ministry exceeds targets with RM737mil spent as of July
PUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is on track with its first half-year review, achieving 85% of its planned initiatives for the year.
Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry has successfully implemented 10 of 12 planned initiatives and spent RM737.9mil as of July 30.
One notable achievement is replacing older High-Pressure Sodium Vapour (HPSV) streetlights with LED lights.
“We have successfully completed 12,336 units with the same budget, exceeding our target of 10,000 units,” said Nga.
Additionally, the ministry has approved upgrading works for 882 public toilets, aiming for a “BMW toilet” standard Bersih (clean), Menawan (attractive) and Wangi (pleasant smelling) – out of a target of 1,000.
In combating flooding, Nga reported approving 73 projects to upgrade and repair drainage systems and 182 maintenance projects for flood retention ponds, with a total allocation of RM70mil.
He acknowledged that more work is needed to address flash floods but noted that retention pools have proven effective in reducing such incidents.
“We will continue to monitor these projects to ensure they are completed promptly,” he added.
The ministry has also exceeded its targets in improving public lifts.
However, other initiatives, such as upgrading dilapidated public markets, developing Chinese New Village projects, maintaining non-Muslim places of worship and the MyKiosk@KPKT programme, are still in progress.
From January to June, the ministry restored five abandoned and 247 sick projects, with a total gross development value of RM19.13bil.
“More than 8,000 buyers can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Nga said.
Separately, Nga announced that the Circular Economy Blueprint on Solid Waste Management will be launched on Tuesday.
“Transforming our economy from a linear to a circular economy will take a whole-nation approach, not just a whole-government approach,” he said, noting that Malaysians produce 40,000 metric tonnes of waste daily.
Nga hopes to table six Bills within the next three years, including the proposed Urban Renewal Act and Residential Tenancy Act.
He mentioned that the Urban Renewal Bill would be tabled during the first parliamentary meeting next year. It would allow the rebuilding of aged buildings without requiring 100% consent from owners.
He cited that cities like Tokyo and Shanghai require only 60% ownership consent for rebuilding, while Singapore requires 90% consent for buildings over 10 years old and 80% for those 30 years and above.
Nga also said there is a need for laws governing rental agreements in Malaysia.
The next four Bills will seek to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, Fire Services Act 1988, Local Government Act 1976, and Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
He said the Housing Development Act amendments would specifically address abandoned projects.
