Noh: We need state govts’ help to build homes

KUALA LUMPUR: The lack of state governments’ cooperation has been cited as the main reason for the Federal Government’s inability to meet its commitment to provide 1.5 million units of affordable homes by next year.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the opposition needed to understand the process of constructing houses.

He said this in reply to a question from Khalid Samad (PANShah Alam).

“The commitment to deliver the houses must be supported by state governments too.

“For example, in Selangor, we wanted to construct 51,992 units, but could only deliver 11,000 due to a lack of cooperation from the state government.

“When we announced the affordable housing projects, the rules are in place.

“We have to get state governments’ approval and their cooperation is important.”

Noh said Khalid should know that the state government had the power to approve housing projects.

“State governments should give us approval to construct affordable homes.”

He said the Federal Government paid for the RM2.2 billion affordable housing projects.

Khalid had asked about the Federal Government’s plan to ensure the promise of providing affordable housing could be fulfilled.

Noh said 255,341 housing units, or 23 per cent of the homes, had been built under the programme, while 717,512, or 64 per cent, were under construction.

He said work had yet to start on the remaining 138,335 units.

“Some states give us no problem. For example, Kelantan works with us well, perhaps, because it does not really prioritise politics.

“But Selangor, on the other hand, gives us premium land, the same it would give a private company.

“So, we are forced to build houses under the Rumah Selangorku project and raise the prices of these homes.

“This is what the YB has to understand about the power of the Federal Government and state governments.”