Latest news with #RumahBeliaMadani
The Star
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Top auditors to ensure clean PKR polls, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR is going to great lengths to ensure that its recently concluded divisional polls are above board – it is appointing international auditors to look into complaints of irregularities. 'If there is a complaint, we will take it up. Now, international auditors are checking if there's any validity in the complaints,' said party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also the Prime Minister, brushed off claims of injustice in the elections. 'Why do you think it's not just? Because there's a complaint, then it's not just? 'Just because somebody complains, it's not just? 'No. The question should be reasonable and not prejudicial,' he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rumah Belia Madani and Rumah Mampu Milik Mukim Batu here yesterday. A number of top candidates have submitted appeals to the election committee following concerns over the results and the voting process. Earlier, party election committee chairperson Dr Zaliha Mustafa said such complaints should be lodged only through official channels. She said all complaints would be reviewed by the Objections and Complaints Committee. She also announced that fresh elections for four divisions – Jempol, Selayang, Silam and Semporna – would be held on May 1. In the divisional polls, several prominent figures, including ministers and MPs, lost their positions. Among those who failed to retain or win posts were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who lost the Setiawangsa division chief post; Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, who lost the contest for the Hang Tuah Jaya division deputy chief; Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew who lost the Kota Kinabalu division chief post; and Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy, who lost the Bukit Bintang division chief contest. Meanwhile, Anwar also said Malaysia had sent fresh appeals for an extension of Myanmar's post-quake ceasefire period which ends on April 30. The appeal was sent to both the chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and the Myanmar National Unity Government prime minister Mahn Win Khaing Than.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Comfy homes within reach
KUALA LUMPUR: Affordable homes should not simply be 'pigeonholes' but instead must be comfortable to live in, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'We have to make changes,' the Prime Minister said, adding that upcoming affordable home developments would have the necessary amenities, including parks and swimming pools. 'We have thought about all this to the best of our ability.' He said the government would be able to realise this as there is no money wasted to corruption. 'There is money to be returned to the people,' he added, at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rumah Belia Madani and Rumah Mampu Milik developed by BMG Global Sdn Bhd here yesterday. He said there are affordable housing complexes that have not been upgraded since the 1960s and some that have remained the same since his first stint in government more than two decades ago. Anwar reiterated that the focus of his tenure would not be on building skyscrapers but instead on developing meaningful projects for the people, especially homes. 'Development is not about skyscrapers or mega projects. It must be meaningful to the people,' he added. He said over 80% of Kuala Lumpur residents buy meals from small restaurants or stalls, while only a small number could afford to feast at luxury hotels. 'If that is the case, why is it that when it comes to development, we give less attention to projects that would benefit the masses?' he asked. Therefore, he said the government's focus should be on developing projects that would cater to the needs and interests of the people. The Rumah Belia Madani project will feature 1,048 residential units and be equipped with a community hall, surau, laundrette and stalls, and even vehicle charging ports. A mosque named after the late former Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, will also be built. BMG Global will also be developing 1,996 units of affordable homes in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar said he wants the project to be implemented as soon as possible and that there should be no delays. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who was also present at yesterday's event, said the homes will be equipped with solar panels. 'After the project is (completed) successfully, the company will hand over 1,048 units which cost RM115mil to the government for free,' he added. 'We will set a reasonable rental rate for the project. '(For) one square foot, we only charge one ringgit in rent in Kuala Lumpur.' Nga said BMG Global had bagged the project through an open tender project which 10 companies had bid for. He said the government is also on track to hit the target of constructing half a million affordable homes under the 12th Malaysia Plan, after having built 468,000 units. 'As of this afternoon (yesterday) we have achieved 468,000 units, which is about 95%,' he said. He added that Anwar will also launch the biggest affordable housing project in Penang, which is set to feature over 80,000 units. Additionally, the Bandar Madani project, which is expected to be launched at the end of this year, will feature some 13,000 units. 'With this, the target will be achieved,' he said.
![Anwar: Development must uplift the poor, not just build icons [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Development must uplift the poor, not just build icons [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says that development projects, especially in major cities, must reflect the government's policy of prioritising the needs of the general population. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rumah Belia Madani and affordable housing project in Mukim Batu today, Anwar told the Housing and Local Government Ministry to provide monthly updates on all major development initiatives, particularly affordable housing. He highlighted the need for efficiency and integrity among city mayors and local authorities, especially when it comes to project approvals. "From time to time, mayors and local councils must explain the approval processes, ensuring they are quick and efficient," he said. Anwar said while the policy on prioritising the needs of the people has been in place since 2022, its benefits must be tangible and directly felt by those most in need. "Development is not about iconic towers or luxury projects. It's about how much it uplifts the people, especially the underprivileged," he said. Also present at the event were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Armed Forces chief General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Anwar also highlighted the need to focus on human development and improving the living conditions of the majority. He added that a large proportion of urban Malaysians, over 80 per cent, rely on affordable food stalls and modest homes, yet planning efforts often neglect their needs. "If most people eat at food stalls, why are these places often rundown? Clean and functional facilities should be the standard," he said. He said that affordable housing projects must be the priority particularly in high-cost areas like Kuala Lumpur. "While the wealthy may afford million-ringgit homes, the government's responsibility lies with ensuring liveable, dignified housing for the rest. "Those with means can purchase expensive homes, that's their right. But the government must ensure that affordable homes for the rest are not sidelined or delayed. "But there must be a clear policy among the leadership, officials and civil servants to prioritise affordable housing. Without this, development approvals will only enrich the wealthy while leaving the poor in destitution," he said. In his speech, Anwar also called on leaders and elected representatives to remain grounded and in touch with the people's struggles.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
International auditors to examine alleged PKR poll irregularities, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: International auditors have been appointed to investigate complaints of possible irregularities in the recently concluded PKR divisional polls, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "Why do you think it's not just? Because there's a complaint, then it's not just? Very prejudicial," the Prime Minister, who is also the PKR President, said. "Just because somebody complains, it's not just? No. If there's a complaint, we take it up. Now international auditors are checking in case there's any validity. The question should be reasonable and not prejudicial," he told reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rumah Belia Madani and Rumah Mampu Milik Mukim Batu on Tuesday (April 29). Several top candidates contesting in the party elections said they had submitted appeals to the election committee due to concerns about the transparency of the results and the voting process. Earlier, PKR Party Election Committee chairperson Dr Zaliha Mustafa said complaints on the polls should be lodged through official channels for appropriate action. She said complaints submitted would be reviewed by the Objections and Complaints Committee. She also announced fresh elections for four divisions: Jempol, Selayang, Silam, and Semporna, which will be held on May 1. Several prominent figures, including ministers and MPs, lost in their respective divisions. Among those who failed to retain or win posts were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who lost the Setiawangsa division chief post; Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, who lost the contest for the Hang Tuah Jaya division deputy chief; Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, who lost the Kota Kinabalu division chief post; and Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy, who lost the Bukit Bintang division chief contest. Also defeated were Batu MP P. Prabakaran, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, and Sungai Siput MP S. Kesavan in their respective divisions.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia calls for extension of Myanmar's post-quake ceasefire, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: As Myanmar's post-quake ceasefire period ends on Apr 30, Malaysia has sent fresh appeals for an extension, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The appeal, the Prime Minister said, was sent to both the Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and the Myanmar National Unity Government Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than. Anwar said the ceasefire was crucial to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to the country. 'The allegations of both sides that the ceasefire is not being observed, so we have sent another appeal to say that extend the ceasefire and make sure to respect it otherwise the people will suffer,' he told reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony for the Rumah Belia Madani and Rumah Mampu Milik Mukim Batu here on Tuesday(Apr 29). On Apr 23, Myanmar's military extended a ceasefire it announced in the wake of a deadly earthquake last month by a week to April 30. The move will help accelerate reconstruction in quake-affected areas, said the Junta's regime's.
