Housing and Local Authority Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin revealed that a single ministry will soon handle the nation’s housing needs.
During her speech on the Supplementary Supply Bill, the minister engaged in a friendly banter with Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Rahman, who noted that as housing is parked in various agencies, it incurs a lot more management costs, reported Malay Mail.
“You should be the only one managing our (the nation’s) housing needs,” remarked Tajuddin after Zuraida shared that rural housing projects do not fall under the purview of her ministry.
“In the long term, we should be moving into that direction,” said Zuraida.
“I am ahead of time,” quipped Tajuddin.
“But you didn’t do it while you were here (in government),” replied the minister eliciting laughter in the house.
She was quick to add though: “That’s all right, we will move together in the same direction.”
Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS) also asked if the government would help the poor who own land within rural areas, such as Felda settlements, to construct affordable homes there instead of buying affordable houses built by developers.
Zuraida explained that no allocation was made for such a programme and Felda land does not fall under her ministry’s authority.
She promised, however, to relay the PAS lawmaker’s suggestion to the Rural Development Ministry.
“We need to allow the Housing Ministry to stabilise first before we expand to cover all housing needs in the country so it will be standardised with policy and law,” she said.
“When I first entered the ministry, I assumed all housing matters fall under the Housing Ministry but that isn’t the case.”
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