'BN didn't build a million affordable homes, but it doesn't mean Harapan can't'
Gerakan should not belittle Pakatan Harapan's promise to provide one million affordable homes when it failed to do so as part of the previous administration, Zuraida Kamaruddin said today.
The housing and local government minister was responding to Gerakan president Dominic Lau, who called the promise populist and unrealistic.
"I think (Gerakan) had been (a part of) the government for 60 years... If in that 60 years they couldn't do it, they cannot just say that we won't be able to do it...
Gerakan should not belittle Pakatan Harapan's promise to provide one million affordable homes when it failed to do so as part of the previous administration, Zuraida Kamaruddin said today.
The housing and local government minister was responding to Gerakan president Dominic Lau, who called the promise populist and unrealistic.
"I think (Gerakan) had been (a part of) the government for 60 years... If in that 60 years they couldn't do it, they cannot just say that we won't be able to do it.
"So because they failed to do so (build ample affordable homes), it does not mean that we will fail too," she said.
Zuraida was speaking at a press conference after officiating the closing ceremony of the Malaysia Urban Forum 2019 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre earlier today.
'Committed to the plan'
Stressing that Putrajaya is committed to the 10-year plan to build a million homes, she noted that her ministry had already identified locations to build the first 100,000 homes this year.
This, Zuraida added, was tabled in the first meeting of Putrajaya's Affordable Housing Council last month, which was chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"The ministry had tabled the locations for 100,000 houses to be built for 2019... which state and which area. All these have already been identified. So it (the plan) is realistic."
Zuraida noted that among the states that have been identified for the affordable homes are Pahang and Penang, and that the plan includes development in urban areas, which have better infrastructure and transportation services.
Lau (photo) made his remark after Mahathir promised that one million affordable homes would be built in 10 years with the cooperation of the private sector.
Women candidates
Meanwhile, when asked about the coming by-election for the Rantau state seat, the Wanita PKR chief said that the names of three local women leaders have already been submitted to the party as possible candidates.
"We (Wanita PKR) are very consistent in promoting women candidates, because we are still very short of women lawmakers and assemblypersons.
"Wanita PKR has a few names that we are going to submit for consideration. They are Negeri Sembilan locals, it is very important for us to have local candidates for the by-election," she said.
At today's event, Zuraida also recommended a review of the National Women Policy to be in line with the current needs of the urban agenda, as a decade has passed since it was launched.
"There is a need (for review), because it has been 10 years since the policy was presented.
"So with the new government, new leadership, new direction and new thinking, there is a need for us to review the National Women Policy in line with the current situation and contemporary needs."
Zuraida said it was high time that the government take affirmative action with regard to the targeted 30 percent participation of women in the workforce.
