KUALA LUMPUR: Low-cost public housing schemes should not be stigmatised as black spots for social ills, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said these units should not be built as an afterthought for the poor, but as decent homes that cater to humanity.
“We rebranded Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) to Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR) as one of my key focuses is to remove stigmas associated with affordable housing,” said Nga in his keynote speech while officiating the 14th Annual Affordable Housing Projects Conference at a hotel here on Monday (April 7).
He was speaking to an audience of policymakers, developers and housing planners.
Nga said that PPRs are too often labelled as the “black spots” for anti-social activities.
“Affordable housing should not just be liveable but also lovable. It is not just about providing a roof over people’s heads, it is about creating spaces that enrich their lives. It must be designed with humanity at its core, focusing on the needs and well-being of the people who will call it home.
“The new PRR concept emphasises five key principles:
accessibility, sustainability, liveability, connectivity and mobility with public facilities.
“It incorporates sustainable features, such as Green Building Index (GBI), solar panels and rainwater collection system to ensure that the urban poor are not left behind during the transition into a green economy.
“Equally important are the humane elements - community centres, childcare facilities and green public spaces that foster connection and support.
“In line with the government’s aspirations, we must ensure that these homes do not just meet basic needs but enhance the quality of life for every individual and family.
“We must focus on finding a balance between the rapid growth of the property market and the need for affordable housing. We must avoid the tale of two cities - where one part of the city remains rich, and the other part remains poor,” said Nga.
He pointed out that according to the National Property Information Centre’s (NAPIC) Property Market Report, affordable houses priced at RM300,000 and below made up 52.5% of total residential transactions last year.
“This indicates a strong demand from Malaysians for affordable homes. We have empowered over 50,000 first-time homebuyers from the B40 and M40 families with government-backed loans through the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme,” said Nga.
He said Budget 2025 also has an additional allocation of RM10bil for the scheme.
“Communities must play their part in helping to maintain the facilities provided in the public areas. Do not vandalise the walls. Ensure that the trash is disposed of properly. Embrace a civic mindset. This is the key to maintaining the quality and elevating the status of our affordable housing in the country,” said Nga.
The minister said that the 4P model - people, public and private partnerships will enable more Malaysians to own homes.
“Developers need to embrace the ‘profit with purpose’ mindset, banks to provide financial support, and communities to play their civil part in maintaining public spaces,” said Nga.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Housing and Local Government Ministry will build 500,000 affordable housing units such as PR1MA, Rumah Kediaman SPNB and Rumah Mesra Rakyat.
As of December last year, 93.9% of the target with 466,421 units was approved.
“Last year, Malaysia witnessed a steady growth in the property market, where we recorded RM232.2bil total property transactions in value, involving 420,545 units,” said Nga.
Malaysia currently has a shortfall of about 400,000 housing units, one of the lowest in the region.
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