KUALA LUMPUR: All future housing projects must allocate one or two blocks for affordable Madani units to help lower-income groups own homes, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the government was willing to expedite approvals if developers meet all requirements.
"For each new housing project, I've instructed the Federal Territories Department and City Hall to ensure that one or two blocks are allotted for Madani housing units for the people.
"We can provide leniency and expedite (the approval process), provided that there will be one or two blocks allotted for Madani housing units for the people," he said at the launch of Madani Civil Servants Public Housing (PPAM Madani) Pixel Permaisuri today.
It was reported that the Madani Inclusive Housing pilot project would target groups in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said it was important to address housing needs in Kuala Lumpur, where tens of thousands were still waiting to own homes.
"I don't care if the rich build houses priced at millions of ringgit, but the people must be assisted in getting affordable houses. The government machinery must address the complex housing problems," he said.
He said the matter could be resolved if the public administration were strict in ensuring all requirements were met, including plot ratio, greenery and school, which saw leakages when the people's interests were not given utmost priority.
He said affordable housing for civil servants was not solely the responsibility of the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
As of July 31, a total of 33,133 PPAM units have been completed nationwide. In the 2024 Budget, RM249 million was allocated for PPAM projects nationwide.
To date, 28 PPAM projects have been approved, with RM234 million in Madani PPAM incentives (iM-PPAM). Some 4,000 PPAM units are expected to be built next year.
There is a high demand for houses in Kuala Lumpur among civil servants, with 55,014 applications recorded compared to the 7,038 PPAM units available.
In line with the government's aspiration for conducive affordable housing schemes, Madani housing in Kuala Lumpur will be led by the Federal Territories Department through Kuala Lumpur City Hall, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Department.
Strategic cooperation between the PPAM Unit under the Prime Minister's Department and the Federal Territories Department will allow special quotas for Madani housing units for civil servants.
It said similar concepts could also be adopted through cooperation with state governments or the state Housing Boards.
The government will conduct a study on PPAM's outcome and effectiveness, involving stakeholders.
"The findings will guide the direction and continuation of PPAM in the 13th Malaysia Plan," it said.