This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on January 30, 2023 - February 5, 2023
Affordable housing is a major issue for almost 50% of Malaysian households.
The majority of the bottom 40% (B40) of households and half of those in the medium 40% (M40) cannot afford a decent roof over their heads. For households living in rural areas, housing is less of an issue.
But the majority of the population do not live in rural areas.
They are located in cities or on the fringes of cities, which are employment hubs. Most of the households in the lower income categories can only afford a three-bedroom flat built by one of the government agencies.
But affordable housing is often in a deplorable state a few years after completion. The poor condition of government housing projects in major cities is evidence that this area needs major improvements.
So why is it a problem that Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming wants to tap the expertise of Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) to improve affordable housing in Malaysia?
Singapore’s HDB flats are well-maintained. They are compact but well-designed. They have all the amenities that a community needs — from sundry shops to barbers and eateries. And a testimony to their high quality is that the value of the flats appreciates over time.
Here in Kuala Lumpur, most government-built homes need major refurbishment work after some years.
The impending presence of the HDB experts has drawn flak from opposition leaders such as Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Perikatan Nasional information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan. Both have alleged that drawing the expertise of HDB officials could undermine Malay rights.
How is that so?
The majority of those living in affordable housing flats and medium cost apartments are bumiputeras as they make up the majority of the population.
When better homes are built, the population at large would benefit, irrespective of race or religion. How would it undermine one particular race?
Any efforts to improve affordable housing should be welcomed, not politicised.
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