BN will continue to deliver, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional has proven that it delivers and will continue to look after the interests of all communities, said the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak also rubbished claims that the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB) was just empty talk.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony to 700 buyers of the Residensi Pandanmas apartments, an affordable housing project at Kampung Pandan­mas here, Najib said the project also involved the relocation of about 300 mostly Indian squatters here.

Each of the squatter families will get a full loan from the Government to purchase apartments which will be built near Residensi Pandanmas.

“This project also involves a resettlement programme for the mostly Indian squatters here who cannot afford to pay a 10% deposit. So, we are giving them 100% loans.

“Coincidentally, I also launched the Malaysian Indian Blueprint on Sunday, so today it is proven that the blueprint is not just empty talk but proof that looking after all communities is a commitment of Barisan Nasional,” said Najib, who is Barisan chairman.

Najib on Sunday launched the MIB, the most significant government prog­ramme yet in aid of the country’s third largest ethnic group.

For the people: Najib signing the official opening plaque during the Residensi Pandanmas handing over ceremony as Tan (right) and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (third from right) look on.

 

Among the measures in the 10-year MIB blueprint are a RM500mil unit trust seed fund to be set up by Permodalan Nasional Bhd and a RM500mil revolving fund by the Government to help Indian businesses.

“With this project’s completion, it is very clear that the Government cares about people’s need for more comfortable and affordable housing,” said Najib.

The Residensi Pandanmas project is part of the Federal Territories Housing Scheme (Rumawip), a strategic partnership between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and private developers to build affordable homes for low- and middle-­income earners in the Klang Valley.

The project, which was built by developer Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd, comprises 700 units of three-bedroom apartments of 850sq ft and 900sq ft sold to first-time house buyers.

The units are sold at RM280,000 and RM300,000 per unit respectively, which Najib said was well below the RM500,000 to RM700,000 market price for a project near the city centre.

The Prime Minister said helping the bottom 40% (B40) and middle 40% (M40) households get access to affordable housing would continue to be a high priority for the Government.

“The Government will also focus on the cost of living and infrastructure such as public transport, and believes that if we give our priority to these areas, then most of the people in Kuala Lumpur will continue to place their trust in us,” he added.

Najib also praised project developer Aset Kayamas and its chairman Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong for completing Residensi Pandanmas nine months ahead of schedule.

The Prime Minister urged the company to keep up its track record with the second phase of the project, Residensi Pandanmas 2, which will comprise 1,920 apartment units.