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Malaysia minister defends decision to consult Singapore experts on public housing

Malaysia minister defends decision to consult Singapore experts on public housing

Malaysia’s Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming is seen here in parliament on Feb 23, 2023. (Photo: Bernama)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming has defended his ministry’s decision to consult with public housing experts from Singapore in order to improve the housing situation in the country. 

Mr Nga told parliament on Thursday (Feb 23) that such experience and knowledge sharing sessions will give his ministry an opportunity to examine new perspectives and to learn the best practices regarding the housing sector, and in particular, social housing.

“Based on previous experiences and its benefits to the housing sector, the ministry will continue this kind of sharing session to ensure its policies and actions are more comprehensive and practical,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in parliament.

The minister was responding to a question by Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmaker Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir regarding the government’s rationale for bringing in Singapore housing experts to consult on housing issues in Malaysia given there are urban planning experts in the country. 

Mr Nga also noted that under the previous administration, the ministry not only established collaborations with Singapore's Housing and Development Board (HDB) but also with other related housing-related agencies from countries such as South Korea and Australia. 

“The government takes a modest and humble attitude in this matter as long as it benefits the people and the country, so what's wrong learning from neighbouring countries, not only Singapore but also Indonesia and Thailand," he said. 

Mr Nga added that the engagement sessions with HDB had started in 2018 through a visit by the former housing and local government minister to understand the planning and provisions of housing in Singapore.

He also noted that the HDB has received various awards and recognition at the international level related to the housing sector.

"We learn to include good (housing) features from Singapore that have commercial features so that our public housing has elements of liveability, connectivity and sustainability,” said Mr Nga. 

Replying to Mr Shaharizukirnain’s supplementary question on whether it is possible that using the expertise of HDB can help the government achieve its target of building 500,000 affordable houses by 2025, he said the government will always be learning from experts not only from HDB but from other countries as well. 

“We will do our best to safeguard the interests of all parties including the Bumiputera. We see the success of HDB and they have managed to build more than one million units of affordable social housing,” he said. 

“Actually, we are not only learning from Singapore but also from Türkiye as one of the efforts to advance the country, bringing development to all parties regardless of race.”

In January, Mr Nga denied a report which claimed that the government had to bring in experts from Singapore to resolve Malaysia’s housing issues due to an “inefficient” civil service that handles public housing. 

“Our intention to invite foreign experts, including from Singapore, for seminars and workshops, is to gain knowledge and share expertise in the field of housing so that Malaysia can move forward and be in step with current developments,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama. 

Mr Nga also said at that time that the ministry’s staff had always provided the best service while implementing affordable and holistic housing policies for the people.

It was also previously reported that Mr Nga’s plan to invite Singapore experts in a move to build more affordable homes in Malaysia was criticised by the opposition.

At a rally in Sik, Kedah, the state chief minister Muhamad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly alleged that the local government development ministry under Mr Nga was attempting to carry out China’s Belt and Road Initiative. 

The initiative, which is sometimes known as the New Silk Road, is a trade corridor that aims to direct land and maritime trade routes to China. 

Source: CNA/nm(as)

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