Closer look: Anwar (right) listening to a briefing by Mah Sing Group Bhd founder and managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum (second from right) at the event in Taman Desa. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/ The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister urged homebuyers from the higher income group to not oppose the construction of affordable homes for lower- income buyers.
He said in conjunction with the upcoming National Day celebration, it is time for all Malaysians, irrespective of their socio-economic status, to unite.
This spirit of unity, he added, will ensure that the lower-income group will not be marginalised as the majority of residents staying in Kuala Lumpur are made up of those from the M40 and B40 income groups.
Anwar said whenever an affordable housing project such as the People’s Housing Project (PPR) is announced, there are voices that oppose it.
“This includes the Taman Desa development, which was raised by my friends who spoke of the need to take care of cleanliness and comfort.
“I told them we can guarantee their concerns would be taken care of.
“My friends, please remember the ‘good’ areas where you live now were previously kampung (village) land bought over cheaply.“Now, where will your average countrymen stay?” he said in his speech during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Residensi Suria Madani housing project by property developer Mah Sing Group Bhd here yesterday.
Residensi Suria Madani, located in Taman Desa, will have 800 units. The project involves the construction of one block with 800 sq ft per unit that will be sold at RM200,000, targeting first-time homeowners.
The development is under Mah Sing’s M Aspira, which is a mixed-use development featuring approximately 1,600 residential units with three different layouts.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said he does not advocate for conflicts between communities.
He said if there are affluent areas that want to be developed to be more inclusive to all, it should not be made into an issue.
He also called for the development of affordable housing projects in Kuala Lumpur to be promptly constructed to meet demand from the B40 and M40 groups.
He urged the Federal Territories Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall to speed up all Madani housing projects to ensure low-income groups have homes as soon as possible.
Anwar said this is because some of those who are in the B40 and M40 groups have waited for 10 to 20 years to own a home.
“When approvals are delayed, the cost of the housing will increase. The companies would not incur losses but seek to profit.
“If you delay the approval, the cost of the home will be higher ... corruption and bank costs all end up burdening the buyer.
“The country will not progress, and the people will not be protected if this continues,” he added.
Separately, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who was met at the event, called on the government to review the policy on public housing projects with high density and to improve their surrounding facilities.
Kok, who represents the residents of Taman Desa, said she also hopes the government will include the proposal to build a public health clinic and improve street walkability, public transport facilities as well as schools in the area when Budget 2025 is tabled in October.
