From left Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar Chief Secretary to the Government, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Anwar, Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum , Founder and group managing director of Mah Sing Group Bhd and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming at the Launch and Groundbreaking Ceremony of Residensi Suria Madani at Taman Desa. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: No more opposition to the construction of affordable housing by higher income groups, warns Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister stressed that it is time for the people to unite so that the lower-income groups would not be marginalised, as the majority of Kuala Lumpur's population is made up of M40 and B40 groups.
“Whenever there is an affordable housing project, there are voices that will oppose it. This included the Taman Desa development which was raised by my friends, who spoke of cleanliness and comfort.
“I told them we can guarantee that their concerns will be addressed.
“My friends, please remember the ‘good’ lands where you live were previously kampung and bought over cheaply. Now, where can your fellow average countrymen reside?” he said in a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Residensi Suria Madani housing project here on Thursday (Aug 29).
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said he does not advocate for any conflicts between the communities.
He said that he is clear on the housing policy he implemented and that if affluent areas were to be developed to be more inclusive, then it should not be an issue.
Residensi Suria Madani, developed by Mah Sing, is located in Taman Desa and has 800 units. The units are 800 square feet and priced at RM200,000, targeting first-time homeowners.
