Revamped national housing policy to come out by year-end

PETALING JAYA (June 21): An updated version of the national housing policy should be out by the end of the year, said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Her ministry is currently reviewing the national housing policy to ensure it is relevant to Malaysia's current housing situation, she said in a Bernama report.

“In regards to the housing policy we have to revise it now to accommodate the current situation and manifesto by Pakatan Harapan.

“I think in that sense by the end of this year we should be able to have roll adjustment or an updated version of national housing policy,” she said.

Some of the issues under review include coordinating the affordable housing policy and placing it under her ministry to improve its management.

The review would involve her ministry, the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia, developers and obtaining feedback from buyers, she added.

She added that if housing projects came solely under her ministry’s purview, it would be able to design a guideline on prices, scheme, designs, and distribution that would not be confined Kuching, for instance.

The minister was in Sarawak to pay a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg this morning, when they discussed issues covering affordable public housing schemes and fire services, especially for the longhouses in rural areas.

“At the meeting, I informed him (Abang Johari) of the KPKT’s direction and focus pertaining to housing projects for the B40 group.

“I also took the opportunity at the meeting to raise awareness on the fate of the Penan girls who were allegedly raped so that action could be taken against the perpetrators as well as problems faced by the people, especially in the rural areas who still failed to have birth certificates and identity cards,” she added.