4,000 affordable homes coming up

PR1MA Communications Sdn Bhd acting chief executive officer Zalini Zainul Abidin giving a presentation on the Jendela@PPR programme to the VIPs including Nga (seated, centre).

PERBADANAN PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) under the Local Government Develop-ment Ministry will be building some 4,000 high-rise homes in Penang over the next five years.

The agency will carry out residential and mixed development projects on its two plots of land measuring 121.4ha in the state.

The projects have an estimated gross development value of RM1.25bil, according to its statement.

It also said the mixed development projects would have sustainability features meant to provide inclusiveness, safety, resilience and liveability.

These efforts to provide affordable housing, which also supports Sustainable Develop-ment Goals, are in line with the Federal Government’s target under the 12th Malaysia Plan to build 500,000 affordable homes.

PR1MA chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Md Shariff said, “We realise there is an urgent need for more affordable housing in the country.

“We aim to develop more high-quality housing in Penang and other strategic locations nationwide.”

There are currently three PR1MA projects in Penang comprising 3,867 affordable units.

The projects are Residensi Pauh Permai as well as Residensi Bukit Gelugor Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The Residensi Pauh Permai project in Permatang Pauh, which has 1,017 units, was completed in September 2021.

It received an award last year for the best mass market high-rise development in the northern region.

Residensi Bukit Gelugor Phase 1 is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2025 and Phase 2 in the third quarter of 2026.

Mohd Nazri said PR1MA was not only responsible for building residential projects but also the socio-economic development of the PR1MA community.

“This will indirectly add value to the eco-system,” he said in the statement.

Mohd Nazri had earlier accompanied Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming on a visit to Taman Bagan Jaya people’s housing project (PPR) in Butterworth, where residents would get free Internet service for nine months under the ongoing Jendela@PPR national digital infrastructure initiative.