Sustainability still top priority in urban development, says Nga
PETALING JAYA: With Malaysians' homeownership standing at 77%, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has emphasised its commitment to sustainable urban development.
Its Minister Nga Kor Ming said initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Programme (Rumah Mampu Milik), Citizen-Friendly Home Programme (Rumah Mesra Rakyat), and housing projects under PR1MA have prioritised eco-friendly designs while scaling up industrialised building systems (IBS) to reduce construction waste.
'Our utmost priority is to preserve the humane element in our public housing initiatives.
'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 in a statement on Tuesday (April 22).
Nga, who recently delivered the keynote address at the 81st Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) in Bangkok, said the newly-rebranded People's Residency Programme will ensure that the urban poor are not left out in the transition to a green economy.
It will do so by integrating the Green Building Index, urban farming, rainwater harvesting systems and rooftop solar panels in its homes, he added.
Nga said Malaysia emphasised community-driven housing initiatives, through programmes such as Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) and urban farming projects to ensure that housing solutions align with social resilience and food security strategies.
'As the Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to advancing housing policies that align with global best practices.
'Malaysia looks forward to steering Asean towards achieving collective understanding for bold and urgent measures to address housing accessibility, resilience and inclusivity,' he said.
Escap is an intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region, comprising 53 member states and nine associate members.
As one of the United Nations' five regional commissions, it promotes regional cooperation to address sustainable development challenges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
PH defends Anwar amid civil suit: No grounds for gardening leave
FOR years, Malaysians heard the call from PH for prime ministers and ministers to go on 'gardening' leave or to simply quit their posts in the event of investigations against them. However, with a PH leader now leading the country, the party of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has seemingly made a U-turn on such policies. Bryan Ng Yih Miin, Strategic Director of Angkatan Muda KEADILAN (AMK) Malaysia, dismissed opposition calls for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take leave over a civil lawsuit, calling them legally baseless and contrary to parliamentary norms. He emphasised that in the Westminster system, taking leave is only appropriate in cases of criminal misconduct or serious conflicts of interest, not civil disputes. Bryan warned that applying such a standard broadly would destabilise governance, as many leaders face civil suits that do not imply guilt or criminal wrongdoing. 'In the Westminster system, only when a leader is being investigated for serious misconduct, or if there is a serious conflict of interest, would taking leave or resigning be considered appropriate or ethical,' he said. 'A civil suit, such as a defamation case, is a dispute between individuals or private parties and does not involve criminal investigations, corruption, or abuse of power in an official capacity,' he explained when contacted by Suara Keadilan. Meanwhile, Hanani Dhamirah, a member of Angkatan Muda Keadilan Malaysia, rejected the call by Srikandi Muda Bersatu for Anwar Ibrahim to go on leave, calling it baseless and a misuse of legal processes. She argued that it does not warrant taking leave, as civil cases are personal legal disputes, not evidence of wrongdoing or prosecution. Mohamad Shahrul Adnan, Chief of Angkatan Muda Keadilan Klang added that the call is a political distraction, not grounded in legal facts. Shahrul also emphasised that there is no legal basis requiring Anwar to take leave and that he continues to perform his duties with integrity. He further accused PAS of misusing legal issues for political gain and attempting to divert attention from their own failures in state governance and lack of constructive national opposition. Shahrul urged all parties, especially PAS, to respect the ongoing legal process and avoid politicising court matters for short-term political advantage. —June 8, 2025 Main image: Media Madani
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Embassy hosts Aidiladha celebration for Malaysians in Bangkok
BANGKOK: The Embassy of Malaysia in Thailand hosted a gathering for Malaysians abroad and local guests on Saturday to mark this year's Hari Raya Aidiladha. Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Malaysia to Thailand, Bong Yik Jui, said while Aidiladha signified the values of sacrifice, devotion, and unity among Muslims worldwide, it also solemnly reflected to the duty and dedication carried out by the mission, in upholding Malaysia's interests overseas. The embassy also welcomed a visiting delegation from the Royal Military College (RMC), comprising 32 Putera cadets and five officers at the celebration. The delegation, led by its Commandant, Brig Gen Shaiful Azuar Ariffin, is currently in Bangkok for a one-week student exchange programme with Thailand's Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS). Bong noted that the visit offered RMC students a unique opportunity to experience Hari Raya celebration away from their families and friends. 'The celebration served not only as a religious gathering but also as a meaningful occasion to strengthen the bonds among Malaysians in Thailand,' he added.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysian Embassy in Thailand Hosts Aidiladha Event
BANGKOK: The Embassy of Malaysia in Thailand hosted a gathering for Malaysians abroad and local guests on Saturday to mark this year's Hari Raya Aidiladha. Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Malaysia to Thailand, Bong Yik Jui, said while Aidiladha signified the values of sacrifice, devotion, and unity among Muslims worldwide, it also solemnly reflected to the duty and dedication carried out by the mission, in upholding Malaysia's interests overseas. The embassy also welcomed a visiting delegation from the Royal Military College (RMC), comprising 32 Putera cadets and five officers at the celebration. The delegation, led by its Commandant, Brig Gen Shaiful Azuar Ariffin, is currently in Bangkok for a one-week student exchange programme with Thailand's Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS). Bong noted that the visit offered RMC students a unique opportunity to experience Hari Raya celebration away from their families and friends. 'The celebration served not only as a religious gathering but also as a meaningful occasion to strengthen the bonds among Malaysians in Thailand,' he added.
