KUANTAN: Good news awaits civil servants as the government plans to build more houses under the 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing(PPA1M) Programme beyond the initial target of 200,000 units.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said currently the government has received more then 300,000 applications for PPA1AM and the demand is always encouraging each time a new project is launched.
He said initially the government had decided to build 200,000 units of houses under the PPA1M programme by 2020 which is double the number of units planned earlier.
"Based on the demand for PPA1M residential units and high number of applications, we will not rule out the possibility of building more units around the country compared to the earlier target. PPA1M projects is being carried out in all states to allow civil servants to apply for it.
"Currently, 333 PPA1M projects to build 126,105 units of houses is being carried out nationwide and this involves various stages including some being recently approved, some in the midst of construction and some are 90 percent completed.
Although a majority of the projects are carried out in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya , there are demands at major towns (state capitals) and even smaller districts," he told reporters after handing the house keys to 197 owners of the PPA1M Aspen Taman Kuantan Jaya today.
Ali said the PPA1M programme was the government's commitment to ensure the well-being and comfort of all civil servants is looked after and allow them to own affordable and comfortable house suitable to one’s capability.
"The PPA1AM programme has a clear objective and one does not require to wait for a long time. In Putrajaya and Kuantan the housing projects were completed ahead of schedule which will allow us to build more similar projects," he said, adding the cooperation between the state government, housing developer and PPA1M's unit under the Prime Minister's Department will ensure the programme's continues success.
Meanwhile, Ali said a total of 4,629 units have been approved in Pahang, including 197 units at Aspen Taman Kuantan Jaya in an area measuring 10.9ha which was completed six months ahead of schedule.
He said the third and fourth phase of the project here which involved 558 units will be completed near the existing Taman Kuantan Jaya within two years.
Also present was State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail and Adenland (Kuantan) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nicholas Chang
One of the recipients Abdullah Salim, 35, who is the proud owner of a single-storey terrace house praised the government's efforts to provide subsidy for the units.
The father-of-three said such initiatives will allow civil servants from the lower grades to buy homes as it was tough for them to secure banks loans to buy houses from private developers.