Latest news with #MohdJafni
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Flood prevention rules to be updated'
Continuous rainfall from March 19 to 20 this year caused floods in parts of Taman Tampoi Indah 2, Johor Baru. — Filepic Johor government will hold workshops to enable all 16 local authorities to better tackle floods, said state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. The housing and local government committee chairman said they would start with local councils in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as these faced the most flood-related issues. 'Our workshops since 2023 focused on getting higher allocations for flood mitigation efforts, and improving enforcement. 'This year, we will focus on improving regulations, especially for retention ponds, irrigation and drainage systems. 'This also includes standard operating procedures (SOP) that developers must follow before starting work on a site,' he said in an interview. He added that the workshops would begin in the third quarter of this year. Under the SOP, developers must build retention ponds before starting a project. Mohd Jafni also said outdated regulations must be reviewed. 'The regulations had been in use for more than 10 years and can no longer cope with the current volume of rainfall which is four to six times more than before,' he said. Mohd Jafni said earlier workshops had yielded some results. 'Just this year we received more than RM100mil, which is likely one of the highest allocation amounts from the Housing and Local Government Ministry for flood-related issues,' he disclosed. He said that some RM213mil had been allocated to carry out over 350 flood-related projects since 2023. This includes RM106mil for flood mitigation efforts involving all local authorities this year. 'Of the 123 projects for this year, 16 are under Johor Baru City Council, which has been allocated about RM42mil. 'Another 16 are under Pasir Gudang City Council with RM9.1mil, while 13 are under Iskandar Puteri City Council with some RM36mil' said Mohd Jafni. 'Through the projects, we hope to resolve at least half of the flood issues,' he added.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Not in e-Kasih? Johor has a new affordable home plan for you
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 5 — Low-income earners in Johor who are not listed under the federal e-Kasih database can now own their first home. Johor Housing and Local Government chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state government will expand its Projek Rumah Prihatin Johor (RPJ) to all 56 state constituencies in August. 'The move was taken following feedback and complaints that there are still many low-income earners who are not listed in the e-Kasih programme and have failed to be eligible for the state government's affordable housing schemes,' he said. He said the RPJ was developed to support those ineligible for existing federal and state housing programmes. Mohd Jafni said the RPJ was first launched as a pilot in the Machap and Bukit Permai constituencies. Following its success, the state is ready to roll it out statewide. Under the RPJ, homes will be built on land owned by the applicants or their families, with supporting proof via promissory letters. Buyers can choose between a two-bedroom unit priced at RM66,000 or a three-bedroom unit at RM86,000. Both options include a RM30,000 subsidy from the Johor government. Applicants must cover the remaining cost – RM36,000 or RM56,000 depending on the house type – via a loan. 'These homes will be completed within seven months,' said Mohd Jafni. He said the programme is aimed at those who have land but cannot afford to build their own homes. 'Applications are currently open and can be made at the respective district office. 'The approval process only takes three months if all the applicants' conditions are met,' he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Johor rolls out new housing plan for low income group outside eKasih system
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The newly introduced Rumah Prihatin Johor (RPJ) housing initiative to help low-income individuals in rural areas own homes, is expected to begin construction in August. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said RPJ is a state government initiative to fill the gap in housing aid for those who are excluded or not listed under the e-Kasih database, but still fall under the low-income category. He said applications are now open for 500 units to be developed with an allocation of RM15 million, offering two categories of homes priced at RM86,000 for three-bedroom units and RM66,000 for two-bedroom units. 'These houses will be built on privately owned land and are expected to be completed within seven months. 'This is one of the fastest and most effective housing programmes ever implemented in Johor, with direct impact on the people,' he told a press conference here today. Mohd Jafni said the state government is also providing a subsidy of RM30,000 and successful applicants are only required to pay RM36,000 or RM56,000, depending on the type of home. He said the RPJ eligibility conditions have also been improved, including considering applicants who share land with family and have not received any form of housing assistance from any agency. Meanwhile, under the Rumah Kasih Johor (RKJ) initiative, construction of 500 housing units has been ongoing since 2023 and will continue until 2026 across all 56 state constituencies, with an allocation of over RM67.5 million. So far, 50 units have been completed and handed over to recipients, while 120 units are under construction and 165 units are in the implementation stage, he said. Mohd Jafni said the RPJ and RKJ initiatives were implemented with strong cooperation from the Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ), local authorities, district offices and elected representatives. He also reminded the public that the state government has not appointed any agents or middlemen for applications involving the Johor Affordable Housing (RMMJ) scheme, and all applications must be made through the 'erumah' portal.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
RM155,000 lost in 2023: Johor govt warns public to avoid middlemen scams over affordable housing
ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 5 — The Johor government today reminded the public that no middlemen or agents have been appointed in the Johor Affordable Housing (RMMJ) application process. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said that scams have still been occurring, with individuals posing as middlemen and charging applicants illegal fees of up to RM15,000. 'These cases have been reported to the police and successfully uncovered with 18 cases of fraud involving a total loss of RM155,000 in 2023,' he said at the Johor state housing development management engagement session here today. Mohd Jafni said that prior to 2022, housing applications in Johor were handled manually and were dependent on developers. However, since the implementation of the Johor e-home system at the end of 2022, all developers must now register and sell their residential units transparently through the online portal. 'This measure is part of the law which aims to eliminate fraud and prevent the intervention of middlemen in the home application process,' he said. He added that most victims' applications did not meet basic requirements for the homes, making them easy targets.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
SMEs urged to grab chance to grow
Mohd Jafni (second from left) speaking with Tey (centre, in white) and hawkers and petty traders who received tents from the state government during a ceremony at Johor Baru City Council. MICRO businesses as well as small and medium enterprises (SME) are urged to seize opportunities that come with the development of Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said JS-SEZ had the potential to contribute an additional US$28bil (about RM120bil) to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. He said the initiative spanning 11 key economic sectors was expected to see the start of about 50 projects in the first five years, with the number of projects going up to 100 in 10 years. 'This shows that JS-SEZ has many opportunities for SME and micro businesses to grab,' he said. The 11 key economic sectors under the JS-SEZ are manufacturing, logistics, food security, business services, tourism, energy, digital economy, green economy, financial services, education and health. During an interview, Mohd Jafni added that the state government, through its 16 local councils, had also been clamping down on the abuse of business licences to ensure that locals benefit from the economic activities. 'We have been running joint operations regularly to go after those abusing business licences, such as illegally renting them to foreigners,' he said. 'We want to ensure that the right people benefit from the state's development and this is the Johor government's priority.' Mohd Jafni highlighted that SMEs contributed 37% of the country's GDP and generated about 48% of the nation's workforce including in sectors such as services, manufacturing, agriculture and commerce. 'The state government recently distributed 6,000 units of tents worth RM3mil to petty traders and SME for the year.' He said the state government had also been collaborating with Bank Rakyat to assist businesses through the BR Johor Niaga financial scheme. As of March 31, 644 entrepreneurs had been accepted for the scheme, which had disbursed more than RM43.2mil since it was launched on March 22, 2023. The scheme allows eligible applicants to receive interest-free funding of between RM5,000 and RM50,000. The interest is fully borne by the state government. Johor Baru Small Business Association president Tey Tian Hwang urged eligible entrepreneurs to apply for the zero-interest scheme to upgrade and improve their businesses. 'SMEs, including hawkers and mobile traderswho are looking forward to the JS-SEZ implementation, should make plans to upgrade their businesses and uplift their services and image. 'With more developments, there will naturally be a higher demand for goods and services, which SMEs will stand to benefit from,' he said. Tey added that next year's Visit Johor Year promotion and completion of the Rapid Transit System Link, connecting Johor and Singapore by rail, would further boost the economy.
