Latest news with #PR1MA
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Move to boost housing sector
Nga announces initiative at StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards 2025 PETALING JAYA: Amid ongoing global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the Housing and Local Government Ministry is taking proactive steps to safeguard the housing sector by developing the framework for Home Ownership Campaign 3.0, says Nga Kor Ming. The minister said this initiative aims to cushion potential economic impacts and sustain market confidence. 'With the national homeownership rate currently at 76.9%, we are committed to supporting prospective buyers and preserving market stability,' he said in his opening speech at the StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards 2025 last night. He said the initiatives would be unveiled in the lead-up to the Asean Real Estate Conference, scheduled from July 23 to 26. In an interview later, Nga shared excitement over Malaysia's candidacy for the UN-Habitat Assembly Presidency 2025–2029, with the outcome expected by May 30. He expressed confidence in Malaysia's diplomatic efforts and support from key countries. 'Winning this would be a world-class achievement, allowing us to shape global housing and sustainable development policies,' he said. Nga also highlighted the success of the ministry's Taskforce on Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects, which has rescued 1,044 projects nationwide, valued at RM100.1bil, benefiting nearly 125,000 homebuyers. 'This achievement underscores our dedication to addressing housing challenges and ensuring that homebuyers receive the homes they deserve,' he said. Nga noted that most of the PR1MA affordable housing projects, initially numbering 34, have been resolved, with only three remaining. 'I am confident that by the end of this year, PR1MA will have no more sick projects,' he added. Looking ahead, Nga said the ministry plans to take stern action against developers who tarnish the industry's reputation. Proud moment: Nga (centre), flanked by Chan and Wong in a group photo with the winners. — GLENN GUAN/The Star Commenting on the much-anticipated Urban Renewal Act, set to be tabled in Parliament on June 23, Nga urged political parties to not politicise the matter. 'We have seen dilapidated housing that is poorly maintained and unfit for settlement. If we politicise it, people will be at the losing end. 'We want to build not only liveable homes but liveable cities,' he said. Nga also called for reforms to ensure that funds from homebuyers are used solely for their intended projects. In his welcoming speech, Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt expressed excitement as this year's StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards took a unique twist by celebrating both current winners and revisiting past achievers. 'As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, StarProperty undertook a special initiative to revisit past Excellence Award recipients, reaffirming their commitments and validating the promises they made. This also gives due recognition to those who have stayed true to their original goals and visions,' he said. Chan said the initiative was made possible through the support of various industry organisations and associations, whose leaders and members generously dedicated their time and effort to visits across Peninsular Malaysia. 'I extend my heartfelt thanks to our panel of judges and the StarProperty team for their invaluable time and dedication in ensuring that the recipients remain truly deserving of their awards.' He added that the initiative also highlighted how the StarProperty Awards has grown from a simple awards ceremony into a lasting benchmark of excellence and commitment within the real estate industry. Chan also highlighted the renewed confidence in the real estate market, citing increased home sales and growing buyer assurance. 'In 2025, the property landscape is promising, with developers noting renewed interest and improving the long-standing property overhang issue, creating a more balanced market,' he said. Chan also pointed to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as a catalyst for cross-border growth, further boosting industry optimism. This year, a total of 99 recipients across 38 categories are being honoured, alongside 13 Special Recognition Awards to mark the 10th anniversary. A prestigious award for Visionary Leader of the Decade, presented only once every 10 years, was given to Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO for his outstanding leadership and vision in the real estate sector. Also present were ministry secretary-general and PR1MA Corporation member Datuk Wira M. Noor Azman Taib, SMG chairman Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng, chief operating officer Lydia Wang and chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng. The event was organised by StarProperty Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMG. The official beverage partners were Heineken Malaysia Bhd and For more information, visit
The Star
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over 90% of ailing PR1MA projects rescued, says Nga
SEREMBAN: Over 90% of the troubled or ailing projects by PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA) nationwide have been completed as of last month, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic). The minister said the figure represented 31, out of 34, such projects encompassing 20,470 residential units. Nga said that the remaining three projects - two in Melaka and one in Kedah - will be completed by the end of this year, with the full support of his ministry and related agencies. 'The troubled projects were inherited from the previous government and former management of PR1MA. When I was given the mandate and responsibility, we found, after a review, that there were 34 troubled projects nationwide, and we have now completed 31 of them. 'In Negri Sembilan, in two years, we successfully salvaged three troubled projects namely in Seremban Sentral, Port Dickson and Rantau, involving 2,929 housing units, thanks to the contractors and buyers who were patient,' he told reporters after handing over the keys to Residensi Bandar Ekar, Rantau housebuyers here yesterday. He said any contractor or company, including company directors, who cause projects to fail without reasonable justification will be blacklisted and not allowed to participate in any projects under the ministry and PR1MA, Bernama reported. He said when the tender process is opened or Request for Proposal is carried out, those blacklisted will be disqualified, ensuring that there will be no more abandoned projects in the future. In the meantime, Nga said the Residensi Bandar Ekar project, with a gross development value of RM172mil, involves 766 units of one-and-a-half and two-storey terrace houses that started on Feb 1, 2017, and was scheduled for completion on May 31, 2020. He said that out of that number, 752 units had been sold at competitive and affordable prices starting from RM165,000 to RM224,000, in addition to the project being equipped with various facilities including a kindergarten, surau and playground. 'Due to various constraints including the Covid-19, supply of building materials and labour, housebuyers were unable to occupy their units, but finally after five years, this project has been completed,' he also said, adding that PR1MA is planning to launch the second phase of the project soon. In another development, Nga did not deny that some local authorities were negligent in managing the MyKiosk project and hoped they would be responsible for ensuring the project is taken up within the next 30 days. Regarding the construction project of the waste-to-energy plant at the Sungai Udang Sanitary Landfill site in Melaka, he said that they are in discussions with the concession company and will commence construction as soon as an agreement is reached. 'It's up to the National Solid Waste Management Department to discuss with the concession company (actual timeframe). I don't want to force it, I want it to be voluntary because we want a win-win formula,' he added.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
‘Sick' projects: 31 of 34 completed in April; rest expected to by ready by year end
SEREMBAN: A total of 31 out of 34 troubled or 'sick' projects by PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA) nationwide have been completed, encompassing 20,470 residential units as of April, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. The minister said that the remaining three projects -- two in Melaka and one in Kedah – will be completed by the end of this year, with the full support of his ministry (KPKT) and related agencies. 'The troubled projects were inherited from the previous government and former management of PR1MA. When I was given the mandate and responsibility, we found, after a review, that there were 34 troubled projects nationwide, and we have now completed 31 of them. 'In Negeri Sembilan, in two years we successfully salvaged three troubled projects namely in Seremban Sentral, Port Dickson and Rantau, involving 2,929 housing units, thanks to the contractors and buyers who were patient,' he told reporters after handing over the keys to Residensi Bandar Ekar, Rantau housebuyers here today. He said any contractor or company, including company directors, who cause projects to fail without reasonable justification will be blacklisted and not allowed to participate in any projects under the KPKT and PR1MA. He said when the tender process is opened or Request for Proposal (RFP) is carried out, those blacklisted will be disqualified, ensuring that there will be no more abandoned projects in the future. In the meantime, Nga said the Residensi Bandar Ekar project, with a gross development value of RM172 million, involves 766 units of one-and-a-half and two-storey terrace houses that started on Feb 1, 2017, and was scheduled for completion on May 31, 2020. He said that out of that number, 752 units had been sold at competitive and affordable prices starting from RM165,000 to RM224,000, in addition to the project being equipped with various facilities including a kindergarten, surau and playground. 'Due to various constraints including tje COVID-19, supply of building materials and labour, housebuyers were unable to occupy their units, but finally after five years, this project has been completed,' he also said, adding that PR1MA is planning to launch the second phase of the project soon. In another development, Nga did not deny that some local authorities (PBT) were negligent in managing the MyKiosk project and hoped they would be responsible for ensuring the project is taken up within the next 30 days. Regarding the construction project of the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant at the Sungai Udang Sanitary Landfill site in Melaka, he said that they are in discussions with the concession company and will commence construction as soon as an agreement is reached. 'It's up to the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN) to discuss with the concession company (actual timeframe). I don't want to force it, I want it to be voluntary because we want a win-win formula,' he added.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
‘Sick' projects: 31 of 34 completed in April
SEREMBAN: A total of 31 out of 34 troubled or 'sick' projects by PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA) nationwide have been completed, encompassing 20,470 residential units as of April, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. The minister said that the remaining three projects -- two in Melaka and one in Kedah – will be completed by the end of this year, with the full support of his ministry (KPKT) and related agencies. 'The troubled projects were inherited from the previous government and former management of PR1MA. When I was given the mandate and responsibility, we found, after a review, that there were 34 troubled projects nationwide, and we have now completed 31 of them. 'In Negeri Sembilan, in two years we successfully salvaged three troubled projects namely in Seremban Sentral, Port Dickson and Rantau, involving 2,929 housing units, thanks to the contractors and buyers who were patient,' he told reporters after handing over the keys to Residensi Bandar Ekar, Rantau housebuyers here today. He said any contractor or company, including company directors, who cause projects to fail without reasonable justification will be blacklisted and not allowed to participate in any projects under the KPKT and PR1MA. He said when the tender process is opened or Request for Proposal (RFP) is carried out, those blacklisted will be disqualified, ensuring that there will be no more abandoned projects in the future. In the meantime, Nga said the Residensi Bandar Ekar project, with a gross development value of RM172 million, involves 766 units of one-and-a-half and two-storey terrace houses that started on Feb 1, 2017, and was scheduled for completion on May 31, 2020. He said that out of that number, 752 units had been sold at competitive and affordable prices starting from RM165,000 to RM224,000, in addition to the project being equipped with various facilities including a kindergarten, surau and playground. 'Due to various constraints including tje COVID-19, supply of building materials and labour, housebuyers were unable to occupy their units, but finally after five years, this project has been completed,' he also said, adding that PR1MA is planning to launch the second phase of the project soon. In another development, Nga did not deny that some local authorities (PBT) were negligent in managing the MyKiosk project and hoped they would be responsible for ensuring the project is taken up within the next 30 days. Regarding the construction project of the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant at the Sungai Udang Sanitary Landfill site in Melaka, he said that they are in discussions with the concession company and will commence construction as soon as an agreement is reached. 'It's up to the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN) to discuss with the concession company (actual timeframe). I don't want to force it, I want it to be voluntary because we want a win-win formula,' he added.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Housing that puts families first
Better living: Nga delivering his keynote address at the 81st Session of the Escap in Bangkok, Thailand. PETALING JAYA: With local home-ownership standing at 77%, the government will focus on integrating features that support holistic living in its urban development. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who disclosed this, said the development of green public spaces and childcare facilities would be given priority to support working families. '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 on Monday in his keynote address at the 81st Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) in Bangkok, Thailand. Escap is an intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region, comprising 53 member states and nine associate members. As one of the United Nation's five regional commissions, Escap promotes regional cooperation to address sustainable development challenges. Nga said initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Programme (Rumah Mampu Milik), Citizen-Friendly Home Programme (Rumah Mesra Rakyat), and housing projects under PR1MA prioritised eco-friendly designs while scaling up industrialised building systems to reduce construction waste. Nga said the newly-rebranded People's Residency Programme will also integrate the Green Building Index, urban farming, rainwater harvesting systems and rooftop solar panels to ensure that the urban poor were not left behind during the transition to a green economy. He said the Malaysian government also emphasised on community-driven housing initiatives, through programmes such as the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) and urban farming projects to ensure that housing solutions aligned with social resilience and food security strategies. 'As Asean Chair, Malaysia reaffirms our 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 added.
