‘WAKAF’ LAND FOR B40 HOMES?
Ministry to make move mandatory in all states, says Zuraida
THE Housing and Local Government Ministry is planning to look at the viability of building affordable houses on wakaf land to cater for housing requirements of the Bottom 40 per cent (B40) income group.
Its minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, said the ministry would make it mandatory for state governments to offer wakaf land for the same purpose.
She said many of those in the B40 group had five to six children, but lived in houses measuring only 60.3sq m.
“They should be given comfortable roofs (houses) over their heads. We will make it mandatory for affordable houses to be 83.6 sq m in size.
“The housing project should also have a surau and recreation facilities,” she said after officiating the annual general meeting of the Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce here yesterday.
Zuraida, who is Ampang member of parliament, said if the housing project was handled by the state, the construction cost would be lower and the price of the houses would be within the B40 group’s budget.
“Compliance costs will be lower, including water and electricity.”
The minister suggested that the chamber explore Islamic tourism as it was becoming popular.
“There are Muslims worldwide, and this is a great opportunity that the chamber should tap into.
“In Malaysia, we have a population of 30 million, with the Malays making up 56 per cent of that number. The numbers are even bigger out there.
“If Muslims go to China, they will be tempted to try out Chinese dishes.
“If they go to Italy, they will want to savour Italian food, but it has to be halal. This is a big market to tap into.”
She said the chamber had members who were in Islamic tourism, but it must be expanded.