Housing plan for low-income earners welcomed

THE STAR 11/09/2004

THE GOVERNMENT has tabled a "people's budget" in providing affordable housing for the low-income group, said the National House Buyers Association.

Its secretary-general Chang Kim Loong said assurance should be given to buyers regarding the quality of the houses that are yet to be built.

"There should be an assurance that these houses are both affordable and good quality.

"A 'build-and-sell' concept would help ensure that the quality of the houses would be left to the, buyers to quantify," he said.

Under Budget 2005, another 100,000 affordable homes using the industrialized building system (IBS) are being planned so that every Malaysian have access to affordable shelter.

The system would ensure quality construction, savings on costs, creation of a safer and cleaner environment and reduction in dependence on foreign workers.

The usage of IBS components in Government building projects will be increased from 30%to 50% from next year.

Housing developers who utilised IBS components exceeding 50% will be given full exemption on levy imposed by CIDB.

A total of RM778mil would be set aside to build 21,000 low-cost houses under Project Perumahan Rakyat for squatters in Kuala Lumpur and major towns, and RM177mil more from the state governments to construct 3,000 houses under Projek Perumahan Kos Rendah.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) Fomca adviser Oatuk Prof Hamdan Adnan said the provision of affordable houses was long overdue in the goal of achieving "zero-squatter" status.

He said the Government should ensure prices would not exceed RM35,000 for a 3-room house, taking into consideration the location of the houses.