LETTER | Grand narratives dominate in Malaysian politics, but it’s often the unglamorous fixes and grunt work that earn no front pages that earn public confidence.

This means public expectations are also unforgiving. When roads flood, lifts break down, and enforcement feels uneven, Malaysians will judge the delivery quickly, regardless of the actual body responsible.

Seen through this lens of “everyday governance”, 2025 stands out as a year when the Housing and Local Government Ministry, helmed by Nga Kor Ming, sharpened delivery on basic services, housing market discipline, and international outreach.

The housing front seems to be the ministry’s strongest claim to credibility, as the ministry is finally taking on problems that have outlasted election cycles.

The task force dedicated to abandoned and sick projects is credited with rescuing 1,333 projects in three years, covering 159,638 housing units and RM126 billion in development value.

This is important, as abandoned projects are not just financial and legal disputes; they are trauma for homeowners paying instalments for homes that do not exist.

Improvements to infrastructure

Thus, it is encouraging to read that several stalled projects have resumed work or were completed, with the handover of keys. The public will judge this not only by counts, but by whether timelines hold and handovers avoid fresh disputes.

Housing aside, and starting at the basics for the everyday Malaysian. The ministry has framed upgrades to 12,000 public toilets within three years as a key marker of delivery, reinforced through the Toilet Awards programme to set expectations and shift culture.

Then there’s the rollout of the Madani People’s Parks, with 216 completed in two years toward a 1,000-park target. These targets are not glamorous, but they are visible and easy for the public to judge over time.

On the environmental front, the ministry reported the closure of 3,634 illegal dumps, with prosecutions and fines. The community service requirements for litterbugs that took effect on Jan 1 this year also signal an attempt to pair deterrence with public accountability and reshape norms.

The credibility test is whether enforcement stays consistent across districts, not only in headline locations. But back to housing - it’s important to ensure rescues do not become a permanent feature of our market. Which is where the package of housebuyer protection and transparency reforms comes in.

Advancing the Real Estate Development Act (RPDA), rolling out E-SPA, and related reforms aimed at buyer protection and transparency. These are risk controls meant to reduce repeat failures and strengthen governance across the market.

The ministry has also cited delivery of 511,544 affordable homes under the 12th Malaysia Plan, including completed, ongoing and approved projects. The Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) programme is also framed as exceeding targets, with 26,272 homes delivered against a 22,000 goal, priced at RM75,000 with an RM20,000 subsidy.

Global recognition

Internationally, Malaysia’s election as president of the UN-Habitat Assembly, representing 193 member states, and recognition such as the award linked to Turkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation, place Malaysia’s urban governance more firmly in global conversations.

But these signals carry more weight when matched by domestic outcomes people can see and feel. Alongside these delivery metrics is an inclusivity narrative.

New village allocations have averaged above RM100 million a year over four years, focused on products, beautification, infrastructure and tourism.

The ministry also cited RM200 million over four years for non-Muslim houses of worship, benefiting more than 1,000 sites. In a plural society, such allocations are a fairness test, and their credibility rests on clear criteria and visible results.

Down the road, though, the harder part is sustaining momentum and keeping delivery and maintenance steady across different states, contractors, and budget cycles. Key performance indicators matter, but so does quality and upkeep.

Overall, the story here is less about one mega-project and more about improving daily life for Malaysians: fixing basics, tightening rules to prevent future harm, and projecting credibility abroad.

The ministry’s next focus needs to be the “last mile” of delivery, with more regular public updates, steadier coordination with local authorities, and sustained maintenance.

So improvements hold over time. If 2025 was setting the pace, 2026 needs to keep that pace steady.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.