PPR reflects govt's concern for B40 group - Najib

The People's Housing Programme (PPR) reflects the concern of the government to assist residents in the lower household income group ( B40), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said this was evident when the government led by the Barisan Nasional (BN) provided quality and affordable houses through the programme and at the same time expanded the assets and wealth of the people.

"In this form of visible asset, the programme gives the most effective impact... that it is why we see the project assisting the B40 group, more so under our special rent and buy concept.

"We will rent every unit and the rent will be taken into consideration as instalments to purchase the house in future. The rental is RM205 a month with RM50 as management charge. Look at the market, where can one find such a house?" he said when speaking at a key handing-over ceremony for the Tehel PPR in Bemban here today.

Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, and Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

The PPR in Tehel has 500 units of houses and various facilities including community halls, futsal courts, surau and playgrounds for eligible applicants in the RM80 million project which was completed on January 1.

To date, the federal government has five PPR projects in Melaka with three projects completed namely Sungai Putat PPR with 336 units, Tehel PPR (500 units) and Krubong PPR (600 units), while the PPR in Klebang (255 units) is under construction and the Tangga Batu PPR (160 units) still under the planning stage.

Najib said each unit of Tehel PPR house is valued at RM160,000 in the market and they would be rented to qualified tenants for a specific period before being sold to them at only RM35,000 each.

"Which country in the world would subsidise so much for its citizens? ...RM125,000 in subsidy and imagine the market price in future at RM400,000 to RM500,000," he said.

Najib said all these initiatives are noble efforts of the BN government to assist low-income people to own their dream houses.

"There is no need for me to talk much. It is clear the federal and state governments have always been helping the people. Congratulations to Melaka for achieving a record in building affordable houses in the country... the BN government will continue to develop the state of Melaka.

"Compared with Penang, the worst performer in the construction of affordable houses. This means the opposition are only good at talking and criticising and the fact remains the Barisan Nasional government is far better than them," he said. --Bernama