- “We’re not saying that Malays can’t afford high-priced properties. Of course, there are Malays who can, but we are making efforts to ensure the prices fall within the affordable category.”
PUTRAJAYA (Sept 12): The government has given its assurance that the redevelopment of Kg Sungai Baru in Kuala Lumpur will include affordable housing units accessible to the Malay community.
In fact, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pictured) said the government, through the Federal Territories Department, is working to ensure that the pricing of future residential units will fall within the affordable range to avoid burdening prospective buyers.
“For my part and that of the Federal Territories Department, we are in the process of ensuring that the homes built will be affordable and accessible to our Malay friends and communities.
“We’re not saying that Malays can’t afford high-priced properties. Of course, there are Malays who can, but we are making efforts to ensure the prices fall within the affordable category,” she told a special press conference here on Friday.
Dr Zaliha also stressed that the government would not disregard issues related to Malay Reserve Land in implementing the redevelopment project.
“As the government, we will help facilitate the process so that residents can return to their village,” she said.
Dr Zaliha said this in response to the remarks by Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who had earlier proposed that the project developer build affordable homes specifically for Malays, in recognition of their majority presence in the area.
The redevelopment of Kg Sungai Baru is expected to provide residents with more modern and comfortable homes, apart from compensation estimated in millions of ringgit.
As Penang girds itself towards the last lap of its Penang2030 vision, check out how the residential segment is keeping pace in EdgeProp’s special report: PENANG Investing Towards 2030.