KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani Inclusive Housing pilot project is seen not just as an initiative to increase home ownership among urban target groups but also an opportunity to offer something different from existing schemes.
Residents of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang hope this project would, however, still remain affordable.
Private sector worker Muhammad Arif Zainal Abidin, 31, from Ampang here. suggested project sites in strategic and mature locations rather than in developing ones.
He said this would allow residents to live in areas with amenities such as public transportation, schools, hospitals, major roads, parks and playgrounds.
"I request that the income threshold for eligibility be lowered to help the target groups in the city.
"We are also aware that most affordable housing often faces maintenance issues. So I hope this project can help improve the quality of maintenance for highrise buildings, such as elevators and public infrastructure,” he said when interviewed recently.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review in Parliament on Monday (Sept 11), said pilot developments under the project would begin for target groups in Kuala Lumpur as well as major cities in Selangor and Penang.
He said they involve 800 units of housing at various built-up sizes to accommodate different target groups.
P-hailing driver Mohamad Naufal Mohamad Idris, 35, from Shah Alam, Selangor, hoped that the new initiative could offer more affordable homes.
He said that such housing offered by the state government, like Rumah SelangorKu and Rumah Idaman, are priced below RM300,000 but availability is limited.
"I hope the process of (owning) a home is made easier for gig economy workers as we don’t have a fixed monthly income. This makes it difficult for us,” he said.
Private sector worker Yunus Yakkub, 40, from Lembah Jaya Utara, Ampang proposed that units under the project come with basic furnishings such as kitchen cabinets and washing machines as an added measure to ease the burden on buyers.
Raymond Lee, 30, a telecommunications company worker in George Town, Penang said he would not miss the opportunity to acquire his first residence through this pilot project.
"Many people have been waiting for projects like this because buying a house in urban areas is challenging due to the high prices,” he said.
During the tabling of the mid-term review, Anwar also said that the Rent-to-Own scheme would be expanded to enable more target groups to buy homes.
Bayan Lepas, Penang factory worker Rosniza Ahmad Rosli, 28, hoped that the Rent-to-Own scheme could be expanded in the state, especially in the industrial areas.
Rosniza, who is single and shares a rented house with colleagues, said the scheme could help more young people and those with a lower income own a home. – Bernama
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