574 Bumiputra firms awarded RM15 bln PR1MA projects

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday gave the assurance that the government under his leadership would continue to support the 1Malaysia People’s Housing Programme (PR1MA) to achieve the vision of establishing a community of quality.

He said the idea of establishing PR1MA was not merely to build houses, but to ensure that the houses owned by the people were of a high quality and were built in a community of quality at lower than the market prices.

Citing an example, Najib said the houses at the PR1MA project in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, cost RM235,000 per unit while houses in the vicinity went for RM295,000, a difference of RM60,000.

“This is the best example of the success of PR1MA. Many can afford to own a home because of PR1MA projects,” he said at a meeting with PR1MA Bumiputera partners, here.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government also gave the assurance that the Bumiputera agenda would remain a significant part of the PR1MA programme.

Najib said the development of the Bumiputera economy not only involved equity but also the quality of houses and the value of the land developed.

“If quality homes are built on quality land, then the value will soar and so too will the Bumiputera economy,” he said.

The Prime Minister said PR1MA houses should also be equipped with the best technologies, such as ‘fibre to home’ because he wanted to see the future generations grow up in quality ecosystems.

“No more houses in poor condition, leaking roofs, walls falling into disrepair. We do not want these conditions for the future generations, that’s why we have come up with PR1MA,” he said.

He also said that one of the rationale for creating PR1MA was to develop the Bumiputera professional and business community so that they have the opportunity to be more successful.

Najib said PR1MA Corporation Malaysia had awarded contracts valued at more than RM15 billion to 574 Bumiputera firms for various construction, consulting and support services projects.

“This is a huge amount as a commitment to this project and the value that is distributed to Bumiputera companies will continue to rise in the future,” he said.

As a support for PR1MA, additional government injection to the corporation would be determined soon, in addition to the RM3.9 billion that had been given, he said.

“Some have expressed doubts whether PR1MA can remain sustainable in terms of financial capability. PR1MA needs additional injection (of funds) and we give the assurance that as the government we will continue to support PR1MA to be financially sufficient to implement the project,” he said.

The Prime Minister said 80 percent of PR1MA houses offered had been sold.

Najib said that besides the issue of housing, public transportation, cost of living, education, health and employment opportunities remained the main agenda of the government. - Bernama