KPKT emphasises community-oriented development, not just more homes—Aiman Athirah

• According to Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, the implementation report of the Fourth National Physical Plan will also be presented to the National Physical Planning Council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to ensure that ongoing development remains aligned with national policies.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has emphasised that every new housing development must prioritise quality-of-life standards and foster community-building, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI, rather than merely increasing the number of residential units without identity or character.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu (pictured) said the ministry, through the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) and local authorities (PBTs), is strengthening monitoring efforts to ensure all projects comply with planning guidelines, including the provision of green spaces, community facilities and areas that encourage social interaction.

“Local authorities (PBTs) in the Peninsula have also begun incorporating new parameters into local plans, focusing on human-scale design, pedestrian networks, functional green spaces and social integration,” she said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

She was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Sivaraj Chandran regarding housing development policies to ensure that new projects do more than construct buildings, but also provide landscaped environments, public facilities and a distinct community identity.

She said developers’ compliance with these guidelines will be monitored and reported regularly at the National Council for Local Government (NCLG) meetings starting in 2026.

According to Aiman Athirah, the implementation report of the Fourth National Physical Plan will also be presented to the National Physical Planning Council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to ensure that ongoing development remains aligned with national policies.

She also explained that, as of 2024, a total of 197,311 affordable housing units have been completed nationwide. This includes 2,056 units under the People's Housing Programme (PPR), 3,467 Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) or People-Friendly Housing schemes developed by Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB), 224 SPNB residential units in Taman Seri Molek Perdana, Johor, and 5,924 PR1MA units.

Responding to a question from Senator Jufitri Joha on defects in completed housing projects, Aiman Athirah said buyers may rely on the 24-month defect liability period or bring the matter to the Home Buyers’ Claims Tribunal if issues arise after handover.

She said monitoring of private housing projects, affordable units, and projects that are delayed, sick or abandoned is being carried out through the National Affordable Housing Council and the Task Force for Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects (TFST).

“Since December 2023, a total of 1,333 projects have been successfully revived, involving 159,638 housing units with a gross development value of RM126.47 billion. As of October, the number of late and sick projects has been reduced to 335,” she said.

She added that these comprehensive efforts are crucial to ensuring that the public has access to quality, safe and habitable affordable housing.

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