This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019

PCSB-MGB Consortium, Must Ehsan Development Sdn Bhd and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) signed an agreement on June 18 to develop Rumah Idaman homes at Encorp Cahaya Alam in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Also known as Idaman Cahaya, the project is the latest affordable housing initiative introduced by Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI). It is aimed at helping the B40 group in Selangor own a home.

“Owning a home can be beyond many households’ reach. With this in mind, the Selangor government is taking various steps to make housing more accessible,” Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said at the agreement signing ceremony.

The guests of honour included Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin. Also present were Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Ahmad Omar, MBI group chief operating officer Soffan Affendi Aminudin, Must Ehsan Development chairman Datuk Jaafar Abu Bakar, PKNS CEO Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain and LBS Bina Group and MGB Bhd group managing director Tan Sri Lim Hock San.

“With Rumah Idaman, we will be able to offer more quality affordable housing options to lower and middle-income families in Selangor,” said Amirudin.

Occupying 16.55 acres, Phase 1 of Rumah Idaman — which will be launched in the second half of this year — will comprise 1,800 apartments. With an estimated gross development value of RM450 million, this phase is scheduled for completion in 2023.

Each unit will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a built-up of 1,001 sq ft.

Priced at RM250,000, the apartments will come with a television set and cabinet, kitchen cabinets, refrigerator, air conditioners, wardrobe and water heaters. Each unit will be allocated two parking bays.

Buyers must be Malaysians, aged 18 years and above, have a household income of less than RM10,000 a month and must be registered with Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor. Selangor residents will be given priority to own these homes.

A total of 500 units will be reserved for Federal Land Development Authority settlers.

Lim said the development of affordable housing will help build sustainable communities and provide a comfortable living environment for its residents.

The first Rumah Idaman project — Idaman Abadi in Bandar Teknologi Kajang — was launched in April.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's AppStore and Androids' Google Play.