KUALA LUMPUR: More than 1,576 sick and abandoned housing projects nationwide with a combined gross development value of RM148.21bil have been successfully revived since 2023.
Housing and Local Government Ministry Minister Nga Kor Ming said the recovered projects involved 188,525 housing units, marking one of the biggest efforts by the Federal Government to address long-standing issues in the sector.
The achievement reflected the effectiveness of interventions undertaken by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, including through its Task Force on Sick and Abandoned Housing Projects.
Nga said this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the KL360 development on Saturday (June 6).
The ministry has now set its sights on eliminating abandoned housing projects entirely by 2030.
To achieve the target, the ministry has launched the Madani Housing Reform agenda, aimed at addressing structural weaknesses in the ecosystem and preventing projects from stalling.
Among the key measures is the introduction of mandatory audits on Housing Development Accounts to improve transparency and ensure project funds are managed responsibly.
The ministry will also strengthen the Housing Integrated Management System, allowing authorities to identify warning signs of delays earlier and intervene before projects deteriorate into critical cases.
Nga also urged prospective homebuyers to use the Teduh portal to verify the status of developers and housing projects before committing to any purchase.
The objective is to ensure every sen paid by homebuyers is used for the promised development, and every home purchased is completed and handed over according to schedule.
Nga was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of KL360, formerly known as M101 Skywheel, a project that had stalled after facing financial difficulties and delays exacerbated by the pandemic.
Originally launched as a RM1.5bil mixed-use development featuring 1,511 units in a 79-storey tower, the project was planned to include iconic attractions such as Sky Mall and a Ferris wheel.
Construction was eventually halted, affecting 337 purchasers whose sale and purchase agreements exceeded RM306mil in value.
The project was subsequently rescued by GD Properties, which stepped in as the white knight developer and worked with stakeholders to formulate a rehabilitation scheme.
The scheme was approved by the majority of buyers before receiving High Court endorsement in 2024.
Nga described the revival as a significant milestone demonstrating how cooperation between the government, financial institutions and the private sector could restore confidence.
The new KL360 project will comprise 785 serviced apartment units, 221 office suites and commercial spaces, along with 40 lifestyle facilities spanning 16 themes.
Located within walking distance of the MRT Raja Uda station, the transit-oriented development is expected to feature attractions such as a Sky Deck and Sky Glass Slide.
