Prime Minister Najib Razak said today government intervention through the implementation of specific programmes had allowed more Malaysians to own quality homes.

najib at mca youth agm He said government initiatives such as the 1Malaysia People's Housing Programme (PR1MA) allowed for the provision of affordable homes for the middle-income group especially those living in major cities who had to bear the high cost of living, particularly the cost of transportation.

"Owning a house is a dream and an aspiration for many, which the government cares about.

"Without intervention through these specific programmes, there will be more who won't be able to afford a quality home near their workplace," he said at the open drawing for 560 units of affordable house under PR1MA, here.

Present were his wife Rosmah Mansor, PR1MA chief executive officer Abdul Mutalib Alias, Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Mansor and Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis.

The prime minister also said that rural-to-urban migrations had brought about socioeconomic implications including the rise in the prices of land and house.

"This has forced many of them to live far from their workplace, causing difficulties including having to bear the high transportation cost," he said.

More affordable homes to be built

Najib said having a house near the workplace would help increase productivity and minimise the people's daily expenditure.

The prime minister also assured the people that the government would continue to provide more affordable homes, noting that the PR1MA units had been oversubscribed by 13 times, or 7,000 applications for the 560 units.

The government would also put in place facilities such as the 1Malaysia People's Shop and 1Malaysia Clinic to enhance the qualify of life of PR1MA residents.

The first phase of PR1MA at Precinct 11 here was developed by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd.

It comprises 420 units measuring 815 sq ft each and priced at RM120,000, and 140 units measuring 1,006 sq ft each, worth RM150,000.

The prices offered are much lower than the market value of RM175,000 and RM220,000 respectively.

First balloting exercise

Meanwhile, the PM conducted the first balloting exercise for PR1MA at Kompleks Kejiranan, Precinct 11, Putrajaya.

In a statement today, PR1MA said, the 560 units of affordable homes were oversubscribed by 13 times with over 7,000 applications received, of which 84 percent were from first-time home buyers.

"Under the first phase of PR1MA, these homes are made available to those living or working in Putrajaya," it said.

Najib said affordable housing was a subject close to the government's heart.

"Following the success of the first allocation today, we look forward to providing many more such homes in the coming months," he said.

He said as announced in the 2012 Budget, the government intended to develop areas around Sungai Besi and Sungai Buloh.

"In addition to that, we will also identify other areas that are close to mass rapid transit, light rail transit and other public transport systems for ease of connectivity," he said.   

PR1MA said successful applicants would be notified via email and were required to provide all necessary documentation for verification to be carried out by a screening task force.

- Bernama