Latest news with #RMMJ
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
No agents appointed for Johor affordable housing applications
JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has not appointed any agents or middlemen to handle affordable housing applications, including those under the Rumah Mampu Milik Johor (RMMJ) scheme. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stressed that all applications must be made directly by the applicants via the official e-Rumah Johor online portal. "Since the implementation of e-Rumah Johor at the end of 2022, developers are required to register and sell their units transparently through the online platform," he said today after the Johor Housing Development engagement session. "The system is legally enforced to eliminate fraud and prevent third-party interference in the application process," he added. Prior to 2022, applications were submitted manually and handled directly by developers. Jafni urged the public not to fall prey to advertisements or individuals claiming to offer affordable homes on behalf of the state or private developers. He said that despite the mandatory digital system, scams involving fake agents were still reported. "There were 18 fraud cases in 2023 alone, involving losses totalling RM155,000. "In some cases, applicants were charged up to RM15,000 by individuals posing as housing agents," he said. "Most victims were desperate applicants whose documents did not meet the eligibility criteria." He warned the public against engaging with any so-called agents claiming to secure housing approvals. "All applications must go through the e-Rumah portal. Those needing assistance should visit the state secretariat office in person," he said.
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
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
More than 4,600 hardcore poor families uplifted
Tunku Ismail tells the State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, that state must not overlook the needs of Johor citizens as it moves towards becoming a developed state. JOHOR is getting closer to its goal of reducing poverty after it successfully uplifted more than 4,600 hardcore poor families. Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said this included 234 households that were uplifted with the help of the state government in the first four months of this year. 'I have been informed that the state government assisted 4,378 heads of hardcore poor households during the first phase last year.' He said those households were no longer classified as hardcore poor as of July 31, 2024. According to him, as of April 29, another 234 households were moved out from that category, under the second phase. Tunku Ismail said this when officiating the fourth term of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar. The Regent said he was pleased with the state government's commitment to safeguarding the people's welfare. 'I would like to express my appreciation to the state government for implementing various initiatives in collaboration with the Federal Government to make the elimination of hardcore poverty in Johor a reality. 'This commitment clearly reflects the concern and determination of the Johor government in safeguarding the welfare of its people, especially those in need.' He also said that the state must not overlook the needs of Johor citizens as it moved towards becoming a developed state. 'I hope priority will be given to the people of Johor when it comes to job opportunities and that greater efforts will be made to create more employment, especially high-paying jobs. 'Johor's economic growth must benefit all its people. 'The income levels of Johor citizens should also rise accordingly to help cope with the increasing cost of living,' he said. On a separate matter, Tunku Ismail said the Johor royal family hoped that all Johor citizens would have access to affordable homes. 'Housing for the people of Johor has always been a priority of the Johor royal family. 'Through the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ), every Johor citizen should be able to own a home without shouldering a burden that is too heavy to bear. 'A total of 21,000 units of RMMJ were completed as of last March, which is 70% of the target of 30,000 units by 2026. Of that number, 16,000 units have been occupied so far,' he said. In April, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government planned to build 50,000 more affordable homes by 2029, after delivering 16,000 units in the past three years.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
RMMJ: Five housing developers blacklisted, 10 under watch
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor state government has taken firm action by blacklisting five housing developers who failed to comply with the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ), while placing ten others under close scrutiny. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, said punitive measures include the registration of land caveats against developers who fail to meet RMMJ obligations, construct fewer affordable units than required, or miss deadlines set by the Evaluation, Planning and Design Committee (PDRC). 'The Johor State Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ), together with the Land and Mines Office (PTG) and local authorities (PBT), has blocked new applications from developers that breach these requirements. 'Caveats have also been placed on land owned by offending developers, including subsidiaries and related companies with common board members,' he said. Under the Johor Affordable Housing Policy 2023, projects on land of five acres or more must allocate 40 per cent of units for affordable housing, while developments on plots between three and five acres must set aside at least 20 per cent. 'This policy is not a guideline but a mandatory condition for all planning applications submitted to local authorities. Any application that fails to comply will be rejected outright,' Mohd Jafni said during the state legislative assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar today, in response to a question from Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang) on compliance and enforcement. Mohd Jafni, who is also the Bukit Permai assemblyman, added that PKPJ is working closely with PTG to block approvals for land title returns (SBKS) if developers have not started their RMMJ projects as promised. Similarly, local authorities are suspending planning permission (KM) for non-compliant developers, who are required to submit revised development plans for review by the PDRC and technical verification by PKPJ. Since PDRC Johor was established in 2022, 29 meetings have been held, resulting in commitments from 115 developers to build 18,568 affordable housing units across 151 projects statewide. These projects are being monitored by 16 local authorities, reflecting a comprehensive and coordinated approach to achieving Johor's goal of becoming an inclusive and prosperous state 'I want to stress that the implementation of the RMMJ agenda is a collective responsibility involving PKPJ, PTG, PLANMalaysia, PBTs, and all stakeholders in the housing ecosystem. 'To date, no housing project has been approved without fulfilling the affordable housing quota. Any violations are met with strict action, as seen in other districts. 'I assure the people that the state government will continue strengthening monitoring and enforcement efforts to meet our target of delivering 100,000 affordable homes by 2030 with integrity and determination. This goal can only be achieved through collective commitment,' he added.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor blacklists five developers over failure to build affordable homes
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Five developers have been blacklisted for failing to build affordable homes in Johor while 10 others are under scrutiny, says state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. The housing and local government committee chairman said punitive action was taken against stubborn developers that failed to build Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ) units in spite of discussions and warnings. He said the Johor Affordable Housing Policy 2023 strictly states that every housing project spanning 2.02ha (5 acres) and above must allocate 40% for RMMJ units. Projects covering 1.2ha to 2.02ha (3 acres to 5 acres) of land have to allocate 20% for RMMJ, he added. 'This policy is not a mere guideline but the main condition that must be complied with by every developer when presenting plans to agencies such as the local council. 'Project applications that fail to comply with the policy will not even be considered, let alone approved,' he told the state assembly at Kota Iskandar here on Friday (May 23). He also told the assembly that some developers used 'cunning tactics' by carving out projects into smaller parcels below 1.2ha to avoid allocating 40% of the area for affordable housing. Jafni said the Johor Housing Development Corporation and agencies such as the Land and Mines Office and local councils had taken action such as stopping new project applications by developers that failed to build affordable homes. Punitive action included placing a Registrar's Caveat on land owned by the developer in question and also its subsidiaries and related companies that share the same board members, he added. 'Take note that these developers were not blacklisted (all of a sudden); discussions were held and they promised to build affordable homes but seemed to forget their promises after leaving the meetings," he said.
