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The Sun
14-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Time to reimagine our social housing
IT is true what they say, housing is a human right. Social media is replete with cases of homeless people. It is a global crisis. Even developed economies are not spared. Affordable housing is not just about providing shelter; it is about restoring dignity, nurturing communities and offering people a fair shot at a better life. It has long been a cornerstone issue for urban poverty alleviation in Malaysia. The Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) was created with noble intentions – to house the urban poor and ensure that no one is left behind in the country's march towards progress. Yet, after decades, it is clear that the system needs more than just incremental tweaks; it requires a bold reimagination. Today, Malaysia's affordable housing policies primarily focus on the direct provision of social housing, with the government taking responsibility for constructing and/or owning most units. This includes subsidised housing initiatives like PR1MA and various subsidised financing schemes. Additionally, supportive regulatory measures, such as inclusionary zoning, require developers to allocate a portion of their projects for affordable housing as a condition for development approval. As introduced in the 11th Malaysia Plan, it is helpful to categorise affordable housing measures based on their target groups, namely, households in the bottom 40% income bracket (B40) and those in the middle 40% (M40). In terms of relative need, B40 households are particularly vulnerable to housing affordability challenges. As a result, many initiatives are focused on rental support, although selective homeownership schemes are also available. Across Malaysia, many PPR flats tell a troubling story – broken lifts, poorly maintained corridors, clogged sewage systems and unsafe communal areas have become all too common. These are not just technical failures but reflect a deeper issue of how society perceives and treats its most vulnerable citizens. More worrying is the social stigma attached to PPR housing. Residents of these flats often find themselves socially and economically segregated from the city's mainstream. Job opportunities, quality education, healthcare and safe recreational spaces remain largely out of reach. The result is a vicious cycle of poverty and exclusion that no number of new housing blocks alone can solve. The good news is that Malaysia has the opportunity to fix this – if we are willing to be bold. Firstly, we must move beyond isolated housing projects to integrated, mixed-income communities. The idea is simple. When affordable units are built alongside market-rate homes, schools, shops and parks, everyone benefits – social divides narrow, stigma fades and opportunities grow. Secondly, it is time to involve future residents in the design and management of their homes. Who better to tell us what works in a community than the people who will live there? Participatory planning and resident management committees can empower communities and foster a sense of ownership. We must also see social housing as more than just a roof over one's head. Urban farming plots, community workshops, vocational training centres and local entrepreneurship hubs should be part of every PPR estate. Housing should be a platform for social mobility, not a dead end. Equally important is consolidating the maze of overlapping authorities that govern housing in Malaysia. A single, well-resourced urban housing council could coordinate policies, leverage data for smarter planning and hold stakeholders accountable. Lastly, sustainability must be at the heart of the next generation of affordable housing. Energy-efficient designs, rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems and green communal spaces are not luxuries. They are investments that lower costs for the poor and contribute to national climate goals. This is a moral imperative. How we house the most vulnerable among us will say a great deal about the values we uphold as a society. As Malaysia aims to become a high-income, inclusive nation, reimagining social housing is not a side issue. It is a central test of our social conscience and policy maturity. The time for cosmetic fixes is over. We must be brave enough to rethink, rebuild and reinvest in our urban poor. Only then can we build cities that truly leave no one behind. Reimagining social housing in Malaysia is not just about erecting more concrete blocks; it is about crafting urban spaces that restore dignity, enabling upward mobility and breaking cycles of poverty. House designers must come forward to offer designs and concepts. This is what nation-building is all about. As Malaysia aspires to become a high-income and inclusive nation, affordable housing must be seen as an investment in human capital and social cohesion, not merely a social welfare cost.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Rethinking social housing to uplift Malaysia's urban poor
IT is true what they say, housing is a human right. Social media is replete with cases of homeless people. It is a global crisis. Even developed economies are not spared. Affordable housing is not just about providing shelter; it is about restoring dignity, nurturing communities and offering people a fair shot at a better life. It has long been a cornerstone issue for urban poverty alleviation in Malaysia. The Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) was created with noble intentions – to house the urban poor and ensure that no one is left behind in the country's march towards progress. Yet, after decades, it is clear that the system needs more than just incremental tweaks; it requires a bold reimagination. Today, Malaysia's affordable housing policies primarily focus on the direct provision of social housing, with the government taking responsibility for constructing and/or owning most units. This includes subsidised housing initiatives like PR1MA and various subsidised financing schemes. Additionally, supportive regulatory measures, such as inclusionary zoning, require developers to allocate a portion of their projects for affordable housing as a condition for development approval. As introduced in the 11th Malaysia Plan, it is helpful to categorise affordable housing measures based on their target groups, namely, households in the bottom 40% income bracket (B40) and those in the middle 40% (M40). In terms of relative need, B40 households are particularly vulnerable to housing affordability challenges. As a result, many initiatives are focused on rental support, although selective homeownership schemes are also available. Across Malaysia, many PPR flats tell a troubling story – broken lifts, poorly maintained corridors, clogged sewage systems and unsafe communal areas have become all too common. These are not just technical failures but reflect a deeper issue of how society perceives and treats its most vulnerable citizens. More worrying is the social stigma attached to PPR housing. Residents of these flats often find themselves socially and economically segregated from the city's mainstream. Job opportunities, quality education, healthcare and safe recreational spaces remain largely out of reach. The result is a vicious cycle of poverty and exclusion that no number of new housing blocks alone can solve. The good news is that Malaysia has the opportunity to fix this – if we are willing to be bold. Firstly, we must move beyond isolated housing projects to integrated, mixed-income communities. The idea is simple. When affordable units are built alongside market-rate homes, schools, shops and parks, everyone benefits – social divides narrow, stigma fades and opportunities grow. Secondly, it is time to involve future residents in the design and management of their homes. Who better to tell us what works in a community than the people who will live there? Participatory planning and resident management committees can empower communities and foster a sense of ownership. We must also see social housing as more than just a roof over one's head. Urban farming plots, community workshops, vocational training centres and local entrepreneurship hubs should be part of every PPR estate. Housing should be a platform for social mobility, not a dead end. Equally important is consolidating the maze of overlapping authorities that govern housing in Malaysia. A single, well-resourced urban housing council could coordinate policies, leverage data for smarter planning and hold stakeholders accountable. Lastly, sustainability must be at the heart of the next generation of affordable housing. Energy-efficient designs, rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems and green communal spaces are not luxuries. They are investments that lower costs for the poor and contribute to national climate goals. This is a moral imperative. How we house the most vulnerable among us will say a great deal about the values we uphold as a society. As Malaysia aims to become a high-income, inclusive nation, reimagining social housing is not a side issue. It is a central test of our social conscience and policy maturity. The time for cosmetic fixes is over. We must be brave enough to rethink, rebuild and reinvest in our urban poor. Only then can we build cities that truly leave no one behind. Reimagining social housing in Malaysia is not just about erecting more concrete blocks; it is about crafting urban spaces that restore dignity, enabling upward mobility and breaking cycles of poverty. House designers must come forward to offer designs and concepts. This is what nation-building is all about. As Malaysia aspires to become a high-income and inclusive nation, affordable housing must be seen as an investment in human capital and social cohesion, not merely a social welfare cost. Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@
Focus Malaysia
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Poor housing conditions perpetuate urban poverty in Malaysia
Letter to Editor IT IS true what they say, housing is a human right. The social media is replete with cases of homeless people. It is a global crisis. Even developed economies are not spared. Affordable housing is not just about providing shelter. It is about restoring dignity, nurturing communities, and offering people a fair shot at a better life. It has long been a cornerstone issue for urban poverty alleviation in Malaysia. The Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) was created with noble intentions, which were to house the urban poor and ensure that no one is left behind in the country's march towards progress. Yet, after decades, it is clear that the system needs more than just incremental tweaks. It requires a bold reimagination. Today, policies for affordable housing in Malaysia are mainly focused on direct provision of social housing, where the government takes on the role of building and/or owning the bulk of housing units, subsidised housing (such as PR1MA) and subsidised financing schemes. There are also supportive regulatory measures such as inclusionary zoning, where local authorities issue development approvals conditional on having a segment of the proposed development be set aside for the building of affordable homes. As introduced in the 11th Malaysia Plan, It is useful to categorise affordable housing measures by their intended target market i.e. measures for households in the bottom 40% by income or the B40 and measures for the middle 40% of households by income or the M40. In terms of relative need, B40 households are especially vulnerable to the challenge of affording a roof over their heads and many schemes are geared more towards rental rather, though purchase schemes are also selectively offered. Across Malaysia, many PPR flats tell a troubling story. Broken lifts, poorly maintained corridors, clogged sewage systems, and unsafe communal areas have become all too common. These are not just technical failures but reflect a deeper issue of how society perceives and treats its most vulnerable citizens. More worrying is the social stigma attached to PPR addresses. Residents of these flats often find themselves socially and economically segregated from the city's mainstream. Job opportunities, quality education, healthcare, and safe recreational spaces remain largely out of reach. The result is a vicious cycle of poverty and exclusion that no number of new housing blocks alone can solve. The good news is that Malaysia has the opportunity to fix this, if we are willing to be bold. Firstly, we must move beyond isolated housing projects to integrated, mixed-income communities. The idea is simple. When affordable units are built alongside market-rate homes, schools, shops, and parks, everyone benefits. Social divides narrow, stigma fades, and opportunities grow. Secondly, it's time to involve future residents in the design and management of their homes. Who better to tell us what works in a community than the people who will live there? Participatory planning and resident management committees can empower communities and foster a sense of ownership. We must also see social housing as more than just a roof over one's head. Urban farming plots, community workshops, vocational training centres, and local entrepreneurship hubs should be part of every PPR estate. Housing should be a platform for social mobility, not a dead end. Equally important is consolidating the maze of overlapping authorities that govern housing in Malaysia. A single, well-resourced urban housing council could coordinate policies, leverage data for smarter planning, and hold stakeholders accountable. Lastly, sustainability must be at the heart of the next generation of affordable housing. Energy-efficient designs, rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and green communal spaces are not luxuries. They are investments that lower costs for the poor and contribute to national climate goals. This is a moral imperative. How we house the most vulnerable among us says a great deal about the values we uphold as a society. As Malaysia aims to become a high-income, inclusive nation, reimagining social housing is not a side issue. It is a central test of our social conscience and policy maturity. The time for cosmetic fixes is over. We must be brave enough to rethink, rebuild, and reinvest in our urban poor. Only then can we build cities that truly leave no one behind. Reimagining social housing in Malaysia is not just about erecting more concrete blocks. It's about crafting urban spaces that restore dignity, enable upward mobility, and break cycles of poverty. Those house designers out there must come forward to offer designs and concepts. This is what nation-building is all about. As Malaysia aspires to become a high-income and inclusive nation, affordable housing must be seen as an investment in human capital and social cohesion, not merely a social welfare cost. —July 6, 2025 Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Khazanah Research
The Star
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Technical issues behind delay of over 200 projects in Johor
JOHOR BARU: Many of the 222 delayed projects in the state are mostly due to technical issues which are under the purview of two government agencies with the necessary expertise, says a Johor state executive councillor. Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (pic) said that all the projects were under 14 ministries but only two agencies, namely the Works Ministry and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) had the technical know-how. He noted that all the projects were registered under the MyProject system. However, he said some of these projects had yet to be updated, which led to some confusion. 'Also, six projects have been removed from the MyProject system recently due to reclassification, scope and cost changes,' he told reporters yesterday. Mohamad Fazli said that 127 of the projects were under his portfolio, with most of them involving the construction of schools, clinics and infrastructure projects. He was asked to comment on Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's recent statement that more than 200 projects in Johor valued at RM10.8bil and approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan nearly a decade ago had yet to be implemented. Onn Hafiz said these projects were approved in 2016, but have since stalled despite funds already being allocated. Mohamad Fazli explained that he had met with the ministries to discuss reasons for the delay, adding that the state government was ready to provide assistance, especially on land and utility issues. Several projects, including school construction under the Education Ministry, have been delegated to the Works Ministry to manage matters related to land and technical requirements. 'If any issues arise during the process, the project will be put on hold until the respective ministry resolves them,' he said. He said each project would involve several stages namely finalising the scope and design, procurement process and construction phase. Several other projects are at the stage of providing the acceptance letter after procurement. Citing an example, Mohamad Fazli said the project to merge two halls for bus clearance at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) was initiated in 2021. This comes under the Home Ministry. 'There are two independent halls there and presently we use only one hall and open up the other hall during congestion. 'So we planned to merge the two halls, but the project was delayed due to the scope of work,' he said, explaining that it involved detailed coordination related to design specifications, building size and facility requirements.
Daily Express
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Express
Lintas badly needs road upgrade: Phoong
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 Text Size: Phoong also proposed the construction of an express lane connecting the Inanam flyover directly to Kota Kinabalu International Airport to avoid dangerous lane merging, similar to infrastructure seen in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Kota Kinabalu: State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe called for urgent federal action to upgrade Jalan Lintas, describing it as a traffic accident black spot that poses serious safety risks and can no longer be ignored. In response to viral reports of multiple fatal accidents, Phoong, who is also Luyang Assemblyman, said Jalan Lintas as one of the city's busiest highways, is severely outdated and no longer meets public needs. Advertisement He said the road has not kept pace with rapid urbanisation, particularly in areas like Luyang, Sembulan, Kolombong and Lintas, which has led to uncontrolled additions of exits and U-turns that worsen safety conditions. He stressed the urgent need for upgrading works and urged the Federal Government to include Jalan Lintas in the next 13th Malaysia Plan. 'Locations near Khidmat and the Iramanis Starbucks are high-risk areas frequently referred to online as 'death U-turn' zones due to the alarming frequency of accidents and viral videos of collisions. Phoong noted that the last major upgrade to Jalan Lintas took place a decade ago under the 11th Malaysia Plan, when several U-turn and intersection flyovers were constructed. Advertisement 'Since then, the population and number of vehicles using the road have doubled, and the surrounding areas have continued to develop rapidly,' he said, in a statement. Phoong also proposed the construction of an express lane connecting the Inanam flyover directly to Kota Kinabalu International Airport to avoid dangerous lane merging, similar to infrastructure seen in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. He has engaged with relevant agencies to submit a comprehensive proposal for Jalan Lintas upgrades under RMK13. He called on the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) to push the project forward with strong justification and ensure it is given high priority. 'The road upgrade must be integrated with proper public transport planning to match the pace of development in Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas. 'The time for planning is over and further delays will only continue to endanger lives and hinder progress in the city,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
