Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has pledged to share the government's wealth with people from the lower income groups by allocating RM200 million for his MyDeposit programme and for housing programmes.

This was repeatedly stessed by Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan at a handout ceremony for funds from MyDeposit to the first batch of receivers.

A total of 40 out of 425 qualified housebuyers received the maximum RM30,000 for house purchase deposits, which they need not pay back. A total RM1,098,609 was given to them.

"This is the prime minister's suggestion and latest incentive for the low- and middle-income groups to own houses," Rahman said at the ceremony.

"This is what Najib wants - this is how we are going to share the wealth with the lower income groups.

"This is the most meaningful present from the government (to those who celebrate) during Syawal," he said, adding that development will be more meaningful if the government can share the wealth fairly.

Most of the applicants were from Selangor and Penang, which are ruled by the opposition parties, as well as from Kuala Lumpur.

Asked about this later, Rahman denied that this was part of BN's preparations for the next general election.

"This is about our commitment to the people of Malaysia to provide affordable housing to those people who deserve it.

"We do believe that the people will appreciate our concerted efforts to provide affordable housing to the people," he said.

Opposition parties not marginalised

Najib launched MyDeposit on April 6 as part of the government's initiative to assist families earning between RM3,000 and RM10,000 to own their first house.

From a total of 5,276 applicants, 3,090 applied for new houses while 2,186 applied for sub-sales.

The ministry received 1,661 applications from Selangor and 576 from Penang.

Rahman said it showed that the federal government did not marginalise the people of Selangor and Penang, states which are ruled by Pakatan Harapan.

He also urged both the states to step up their efforts in providing affordable housing for those in need.

Rahman said the ministry had to reject a number of applicants because they were receiving other government incentives, failed to complete the applications or did not fulfil the wages qualification.

The minister also reiterated the government's commitment to achieve the one million affordable housing under 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA).