Latest news with #NationalHousingPolicy
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
UN-Habitat presidency: Urban renewal, affordable housing among top priorities
KUALA LUMPUR: Urban renewal, affordable housing and a circular economy will be among the key agendas Malaysia will champion if appointed as President of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2026–2029 term. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said that urban renewal is not merely a ministry initiative, but a vital national agenda. 'In the current national development landscape, 78 per cent of the country's population resides in urban areas, and by 2050, it will rise to 85 per cent. 'Currently, over 200 million people worldwide are living in slums, dilapidated buildings and unsafe environments. Therefore, urban renewal must be carried out for the well-being of the people,' he said. Nga was speaking on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme tonight in a discussion on the topic 'UN-Habitat: Malaysia Ready to Lead Global Sustainable Development.' Malaysia hopes to be elected as President of the UN-Habitat Assembly for the 2026–2029 term, which aligns with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). An official announcement on the selected presidency is expected at the end of this month. Nga said Malaysia aims to showcase its expertise in providing high-quality, affordable housing. 'Malaysia has an excellent track record in delivering sufficient affordable housing that is well-received by the public. This success stems from a holistic housing ecosystem, which has pushed the home ownership rate to 76.9 per cent. 'Our initiatives are guided by the National Housing Policy 2018–2025, which outlines systematic and efficient planning, development and management of the housing sector,' he said. Nga said that if given the mandate to lead UN-Habitat, Malaysia will spearhead crucial dialogues and decisions on adequate housing and the future of sustainable, livable cities. UN-Habitat is a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Urban renewal, affordable housing among top priorities
KUALA LUMPUR: Urban renewal, affordable housing and a circular economy will be among the key agendas Malaysia will champion if appointed as President of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2026–2029 term. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said that urban renewal is not merely a ministry initiative, but a vital national agenda. 'In the current national development landscape, 78 per cent of the country's population resides in urban areas, and by 2050, it will rise to 85 per cent. 'Currently, over 200 million people worldwide are living in slums, dilapidated buildings and unsafe environments. Therefore, urban renewal must be carried out for the well-being of the people,' he said. Nga was speaking on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme tonight in a discussion on the topic 'UN-Habitat: Malaysia Ready to Lead Global Sustainable Development.' Malaysia hopes to be elected as President of the UN-Habitat Assembly for the 2026–2029 term, which aligns with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). An official announcement on the selected presidency is expected at the end of this month. Nga said Malaysia aims to showcase its expertise in providing high-quality, affordable housing. 'Malaysia has an excellent track record in delivering sufficient affordable housing that is well-received by the public. This success stems from a holistic housing ecosystem, which has pushed the home ownership rate to 76.9 per cent. 'Our initiatives are guided by the National Housing Policy 2018–2025, which outlines systematic and efficient planning, development and management of the housing sector,' he said. Nga said that if given the mandate to lead UN-Habitat, Malaysia will spearhead crucial dialogues and decisions on adequate housing and the future of sustainable, livable cities. UN-Habitat is a United Nations agency dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
DBKL, Sentul Raya unveils affordable housing and education programme for B40 group
KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), in partnership with Sentul Raya Sdn Bhd—a subsidiary of YTL Land and Development Sdn Bhd has launched Residensi Kecapi and Bintang Cemerlang 2.0, aimed at empowering the B40 community. The event, officiated by Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), highlights a shared commitment to community upliftment and social development in Kuala Lumpur. "This is not just about building homes or launching a programme. It's about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and delivering hope," said the minister. Dr. Zaliha added that the launch is a testament to what can be achieved when the government and private sector collaborate to uplift lives. "Ensuring access to quality housing, especially for lower-income families, is a key part of our national agenda. It lays the foundation for stronger, more stable communities." Residensi Kecapi introduces 250 quality homes priced at RM42,000—significantly below actual construction cost, with the entire subsidy covered by Sentul Raya. Strategically located in revitalised Sentul, the project aligns with the National Housing Policy's goals to provide safe, affordable housing while combating urban decline and promoting sustainable communities. Running alongside the housing project is Bintang Cemerlang 2.0, an upgraded education enrichment programme supporting 23 primary schools in the area. Building on its 2008 predecessor—which impacted over 107,500 individuals and earned three Kuala Lumpur Mayor's Awards—the programme offers a holistic learning experience that integrates academic, creative, and physical development. It also includes training for teachers to better support students. Together, the initiatives form a comprehensive model for community development, combining quality housing with education to empower families and build resilient communities. They also reflect YTL Group's commitment to long-term, meaningful impact. In her closing remarks, Dr Zaliha urged greater private sector involvement. "Let us walk forward together, public and private sector, to build a Kuala Lumpur that is modern and inclusive."
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Affordable home launch positive step to uplift lives
KUALA LUMPUR: The long-delayed Residensi Kecapi project yesterday launched 250 low-cost units priced at RM42,000 each, marking a significant step in providing affordable housing for the urban poor. The launch was officiated by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa through an initiative led by Sentul Raya Sdn Bhd (SRSB), a subsidiary of YTL Land and Development, in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall. The completed project forms part of the larger Sentul Urban Renewal Master Plan aimed at reversing urban decay and uplifting the standard of living for low-income communities. 'The launch of Residensi Kecapi in Sentul West marks the completion of a project that had remained stalled for nearly 10 years. This is not just about building homes or launching a programme, it is about restoring dignity, creating opportunity and delivering hope. 'What we see here today is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the government and private sector come together to uplift lives. This is the true spirit of Malaysia Madani,' Zaliha added. She said ensuring access to quality housing, especially for lower-income families, is a key part of the national agenda, and lays the foundation for stronger and stable communities. 'I've personally viewed one of the units, which is about 650sq ft and is equipped with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, which I believe offers a comfortable living space with public facilities to support residents' daily needs. 'Of the 250 units built, 135 have been offered to local residents, and so far, 27 agreements have been signed by prospective occupants.' Zaliha said the initiative ensures that low-income families have access to safe, quality housing in the rejuvenated Sentul area. She also highlighted that the project supports the government's National Housing Policy by providing affordable homes for deserving families in Sentul. 'What I truly appreciate is the commitment to ensuring that the selection and verification process is conducted transparently and thoroughly. 'A special audit team from the Federal Territories Department, the City Hall and SRSB went to the ground to verify the rights of the original landowners and their heirs. 'This is a commendable example of fair and humane governance, the kind of approach that should be at the core of any urban redevelopment. Ultimately, development should never come at the expense of the people,' she said. Simultaneously, a community development programme was also held in collaboration with UCSI University, targeting the development of children from the People's Housing Project communities. Zaliha said the programme aligns with the Usaha Jaya Insan initiative under the Federal Territories Department, which aims to eradicate urban poverty. She also announced the Bintang Cemerlang 2.0 education enrichment programme as part of ongoing efforts to support academic growth and holistic development among children in Sentul's B40 communities. 'As a major developer in Sentul, SRSB introduced the Bintang Cemerlang programme to support local communities by providing education enrichment opportunities for schoolchildren in the neighbourhood. 'I understand that this programme has now been expanded to include students who fell behind due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with a strong focus on rebuilding foundational literacy and numeracy or 3Ms (reading, writing, and arithmetic).' Zaliha said the initiative will benefit 23 primary schools in the Sentul area and build on the legacy of the original programme, which has reached over 107,500 individuals since 2008 and garnered multiple awards for its impact on student learning and well-being. She said the programme also offers training opportunities for teachers to enhance their capacity to support student development.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Housing Ministry backs green housing push at UN regional forum
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.
