It is a welcome news for people looking for affordable houses as 3,855 more units of Rumah Aspirasi Rakyat costing RM744 million will be built in six towns nationwide.

The first three projects will be built in the towns of Kuala Krai, Kota Baharu and Ketereh in Kelantan, while the remaining three will be built in Sandakan (Sabah), Pekan (Pahang) and Ampang (Selangor).

The first three projects in Kota Baharu, Ampang and Pekan will take off the ground within the next six months and slated for completion within four years.

NWP Holdings Bhd's construction arm, NWP Builder Sdn Bhd, and M2B World (M) Sdn Bhd have entered into a turnkey-construction agreement for the construction of the six 'Rumah Aspirasi Rakyat' projects, comprising landed houses and apartments.

NWP Builder was selected as contractor of the projects while M2B World as turnkey contractor.

"The project is key to diversifying the group's business and providing an alternative source of income to the group," NWP Holdings director Prof Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai told reporters after the signing ceremony of the agreement here today.

Meanwhile, M2B World Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sunny Ung Eng Huat said the houses, which would be built on over 400 acres(161.8 hectares) of land, would fetch 10 per cent to 15 per cent lower than the market prices.

He said as the Rumah Aspirasi Rakyat scheme was funded by the government to government-linked companies, the costs of funds and infrastructure were lower, hence the lower prices of the houses.

"Five of the projects are owned by Syarikat Perumahan Negara Malaysia, while the one in Ketereh is owned by Perbadanan PRIMA Malaysia," he said.

He said the first three projects would start within the next six months and would be completed within four years.