Dream homes: Nga (fourth from left) and Chow (fifth from left) posing for a photo after viewing the facilities at Ideal Venice Residency in Gelugor, just before the key handover ceremony. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Thirty-four long-stalled PR1MA housing developments nationwide, once considered “sick” projects, are now “cured”, with all units scheduled to be completed and handed over to buyers by Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said all but one of the previously identified stalled projects have already been completed.
He said the completion marked a turning point for Perbadanan PR1MA, with no more stalled projects remaining under the agency.
Nga said the government’s target of eliminating stalled PR1MA projects had been achieved, describing it as the first administration to meet its goal of delivering 500,000 affordable housing units under the 12th Malaysia Plan within five years, with further expansion planned under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
He was speaking at the key handover ceremony for 20 homeowners of affordable units at Ideal Venice Residency yesterday.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Ideal Property Group chief operating officer Datuk Goh Teng Whoo were also present.
Nga said the government had exceeded its original target, with more than 511,000 affordable housing units completed, under construction or approved nationwide by September 2025.
He said the completion of previously abandoned projects had been carried out without compromising quality standards, adding that affordability should not come at the expense of liveability, connectivity or community well-being.
Nga said Malaysia’s affordable housing sector was internationally recognised for its quality, citing awards won by local developers at recent FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence ceremonies.
He said these achievements demonstrate that Malaysian affordable housing projects are competitive on the global stage.
Ideal Venice Residency comprises 1,632 condominium-style affordable units, priced at about RM300,000 to RM400,000.
Earlier, Nga announced an allocation of RM3mil to develop six Madani recreational parks in Penang.
He said the funds would be channelled through local authorities, with RM500,000 allocated for each park, three under Seberang Perai City Council and three under Penang Island City Council.
Nga said a total of 216 Madani recreational parks have been completed nationwide so far.
