PR1MA to focus on building rural houses for M40 group

KANGAR: PR1MA Corp Malaysia (PR1MA) will focus on the development of rural houses for the M40 group so as to ensure they have access to quality affordable housing.

PR1MA chairman Datuk Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahya said the effort was in line with the aspiration of 'One Family, One House' which was the government's vision as well as guaranteeing their future accommodation.

"In the past, the establishment of PR1MA targeted the urban poor, but we have to remember the status of the M40 group in rural areas, where there is no housing or they are renting, then we will open this offer to them.

"Maybe we can also build houses in small areas. Previously, our projects were in areas as big as 20, 30, 40 acres, but perhaps (after this) we can build PR1MA houses in just five acres targeting the M40 group in rural areas to own houses at affordable rates," he told a press conference after the opening ceremony of the Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations Tour Programme (AKM) in Perlis that was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob here today.

Meanwhile, Fathul Bari said PR1MA is targeting 100,000 units of affordable housing to be built during the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

"(So far) We have 61 PR1MA projects on our list involving about 49,000 units nationwide. Some have been occupied, some are 'under construction' and a small portion has just been approved," he said.

Meanwhile, he said that in conjunction with the AKM, PR1MA also offered 1,000 job opportunities to youths through the PR1MA STEP (SAKU Training and Employment Programme), in line with the JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia initiative launched by the prime minister recently.

"Those who are hired will be assigned either at the PR1MA headquarters in Ara Damansara or at the PR1MA Regional Office with a one-year contract period and an optional one-year contract renewal," he said.

-- BERNAMA