PUTRAJAYA, September 24 – RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA, Alhamdulillah, let us give thanks to Allah SWT for all the blessings bestowed on us, the blessings of peace, the blessings of being citizens of this land of Malaysia, then on this happy evening, we can be together in the LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE FAMILY HOME INITIATIVE MALAYSIA OR RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA. First of all, I would like to congratulate the KPKT led by YB Dato ‘Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, for being able to unveil another initiative to help the people, who are affected by COVID-19 in the spirit of the Malaysian Family.
Since March 2020, we have gone through a phase that is quite painful and has a profound impact on the economy, society and psychology of the people. I personally saw this situation more closely when I was given the responsibility as Senior Minister of Defense. Every day we are faced with quite different situations and environments, which we never imagined when faced with the invisible enemy (or the invisible enemy). Every day we learn new things, how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, besides trying to find the best way to balance the economic impact that hit the country to affect the lives of the people.
The impact faced, covering various industry sectors, particularly small and medium businesses, was particularly affected. Not a few are still struggling, some have even had to retire. I realize the hardships, misery and hardships of the people’s lives when the country is facing an economic crisis caused by this epidemic. To reduce the long -term economic impact, the government will focus on achieving two main objectives. First, to restore the well -being of the people in line with efforts to increase consumer purchasing power and second, to re -elevate the private sector as a driver of economic growth.
As I stated in Parliament during the day, the government will pursue strategic policies to increase income and purchasing power especially households among the B40. For medium and long term plans, income generation and capacity building programs, improving access to basic necessities including education, health and housing will be implemented. Next, we will go through the endemic phase where we need to live with COVID-19 in the new norm by continuing to adopt Standard Operating Procedures (or SOPs).
Alhamdulillah, we are now on the right track towards the country’s economic recovery. I am happy to share that as of last Wednesday, 81 percent of Malaysia’s adult population has been vaccinated involving 18.9 million individuals. At the same time, the government also started vaccinating Form 5 and 4 school students in preparation for the opening of schools nationwide in stages. Based on this very positive development, the government began to give flexibility to fully vaccinated individuals to carry out activities in the economic and social sectors.
What is important in this endemic period, is self -control. It is the responsibility of all of us, to ensure that all daily activities are done according to the culture of the new norms. In the same vein, we know many out there who are quite impressed with the current economic situation. The issue of housing, for example, a place to shelter, is a matter for Malaysian families. Thus, the Housing Agenda will continue to be the main focus of the government, especially in providing affordable housing for Malaysian Families. Affordable housing programs such as the People’s Housing Project (or PPR), PR1MA Housing and Malaysian Civil Servants Housing (or PPAM) will continue to be strengthened and improved so that every Malaysian family has a place to shelter.
I am confident that KPKT will look more strategically at the planning and implementation of these housing programs so that it can not only be built in a short period of time, but also affordable for Malaysians. In line with the spirit of the Malaysian Family, we will also helping the vulnerable as well as youths and young people to have comfortable and quality homes, in line with the Liveable Malaysia agenda or Liveable Malaysia.InsyaAllah, we will announce the details in the presentation of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and the 2022 Budget soon.
Therefore, the measures and approaches introduced by KPKT through the Malaysian Family Home Residential Initiative or RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA, is a timely initiative and is a buffer measure that the government can provide to the people in need. RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA is a shelter for Malaysian families who have lost and lacked income, or may even have lost their jobs, so that they can no longer afford to pay high rent. Similarly, there are those who are desperate to stay at a relative’s house because they have to move out of a rented house.
I understand that 1,000 units of RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA are provided as a start in the People’s Housing Project (or PPR) area around Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan and Johor with a minimum rental rate of 124 ringgit per month for a maximum period of two years. InsyaAllah, I am optimistic that with the initiative implemented by this government, it will benefit the families of the recipients of RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA. I understand that 1,000 housing units in 11 PPR areas which are under the control and management of KPKT, are not enough to be a shelter for Malaysian families affected by the loss of livelihood. This is because 139 other PPR projects have been handed over to the State Authority.
Therefore, after discussions between KPKT and the State Authority, I am pleased to announce that the Malaysian Family Home Residential Initiative or RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA will be increased to 2,000 units, which will benefit at least 10 thousand households in need. To reduce the stress and burden on the recipients of the RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA initiative, I am also pleased to announce that all beneficiaries will be given a payment exemption for up to 6 months from the date of receipt of the keys. This rental exemption will be borne by the government involving an allocation of about 3 million Ringgit.
This is to enable the beneficiary brothers and sisters, especially the Head of Household to focus on boosting the family economy. Another good news that I would like to announce, especially to the existing residents in PPR areas, the government will also not sideline their welfare. Therefore, I am pleased to inform that the moratorium program on rental payments to existing PPR residents under the regulation and management of KPKT, will continue until the end of 2022. InsyaAllah, this measure will benefit about 10 thousand Heads of Household or 50 thousand PPR residents, involving the government’s financial liability amounting to 18.84 million Ringgit.
This is part of our efforts, our initiatives, our endeavors for Malaysian Families in need. The Government remains committed to giving the best to the people as a whole. In the coming period, various government initiatives and efforts will be undertaken for the sake of the Malaysian Family. InsyaAllah, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) and the 2022 Budget which will be tabled in Parliament in the near future will outline the direction and approach of the government in ensuring the well-being of Malaysian families is given priority. To the Malaysian Families who are the beneficiaries of RUMAH IKRAM KELUARGA MALAYSIA, I pray that your affairs will be simplified and the government will continue to be with you all in any situation.
