KUALA SELANGOR: The Residensi Rakyat Programme (PRR) in Bestari Jaya will serve as a model for future housing initiatives in estate areas, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the government aims to use this model for estate housing, where plantation companies provide land while the government formulates better development plans for estate communities.
He said that the project’s success is due to the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in expediting stalled housing projects.
“I want to make the PRR Madani Bestari Jaya a model for other estates to adopt,” he said at the PRR groundbreaking ceremony in Bestari Jaya on Saturday (Feb 15).
“For decades, the disputes here stalled progress, but I must thank (Housing and Local Government Minister) Nga Kor Ming for his immediate action in resolving the matter upon taking office.”
He said without private sector involvement, affordable housing projects for lower-income groups, including estate workers, would face significant cost barriers.
“We must acknowledge contributions from figures like Tan Sri Vincent Tan. Without such support, the costs would be too high,” he added.
Anwar underscored the significance of housing projects in national development, saying that they rank just behind healthcare in importance.
He urged state governments to follow Selangor’s model under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who has successfully managed the state’s economy.
“In some states, even a single term in office has yielded no results. Leadership matters,” he said.
Anwar also stressed the need for efficient land use and urban planning to ensure better housing conditions.
“In the past, Bandar Tun Razak and Seri Perlis housing areas were suitable, but after 50 years, they no longer meet modern living standards.
“That is why we must continue implementing projects like this, ensuring seamless collaboration among stakeholders,” he said.
He said that he hopes that all necessary approvals had been finalised so that the Perumahan Rakyat Madani project could proceed without further delay.
“If possible, we should complete this project before 2027. This is not a mega project. If we push a little, we can complete it even faster,” he said.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the PRR Harmoni Madani Bestari Jaya marks a collaborative effort between the federal government, the Selangor state government, Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) and Berjaya Corporation Berhad (BCB).
The total development cost for the PRR project amounts to RM75mil, with the federal government contributing RM40mil and the Selangor state government allocating RM35mil.
According to Anwar, BCB has provided the 20-acre land free of charge, while PR1MA has been appointed as the implementing agency responsible for executing the project.
This initiative specifically benefits workers from five estates: Ladang Mary, Ladang Nigel Gardner, Ladang Bukit Tagar, Ladang Sungai Tinggi, and Ladang Minyak.
The housing project will consist of 245 single-storey terrace houses, each covering 750 square feet and is expected to be completed within 24 months, subject to the necessary development approvals.
Each unit, estimated to cost RM300,000, will be sold at an affordable price of RM45,000, with the government subsidising approximately RM58.8mil for the overall project.
