PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is doubling down on greener public housing — and it wants the region to do the same.
At the 81st Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable urban development and housing policies that leave no one behind.
Delivering his keynote address on Monday (April 21), Nga said the country’s 77% homeownership rate reflects ongoing efforts under the National Housing Policy and the National Affordable Housing Policy — both focused on ensuring access to affordable, quality homes.
He said programmes such as the Affordable Housing Programme (Rumah Mampu Milik), Citizen-Friendly Home Programme (Rumah Mesra Rakyat), and PR1MA housing projects are being reimagined with green features in mind, from industrialised building systems (IBS) that reduce construction waste to energy-saving designs.
The newly-rebranded People’s Residency Program, he added, will go even further — incorporating the Green Building Index, rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems and urban farming to support low-income households in the green transition.
“Our utmost priority is to preserve the humane element in our public housing initiatives,” Nga said. “To that end, we are integrating features that support holistic living, such as the development of green public spaces and childcare facilities to support working families.”
He said Malaysia is also placing strong emphasis on community-driven housing models, with initiatives such as Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) and local urban farming projects to strengthen social resilience and food security.
“As Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia is committed to pushing forward bold, inclusive and future-proof housing policies that reflect global best practices,” he said.
ESCAP is a regional arm of the United Nations, bringing together 53 member States and 9 associate members. It serves as a platform for regional cooperation on sustainable development and policy challenges in the Asia-Pacific.
