KUALA LUMPUR, April 8, 2015:
House prices through the 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing Programme (PPA1M) have been deemed as “still high” for some low-ranking civil servants.
Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) president Datuk Azih Muda said the estimated price, specified when PPA1M was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Tuesday, was affordable only by a certain section of civil servants.
“Estimates of between RM100,000 and RM300,000 per unit are still high because many lower-ranking civil servants cannot afford to buy at that price,” he said when contacted by The Rakyat Post.
To compensate for this, Cuepacs is suggesting that the federal government work with state governments to build low- and medium-cost houses in rural areas.
“We understand that with increasing construction costs and the rising cost of living, low-income civil servants are unable to own their own homes.
“It is time for PPA1M to work with state governments to build low- and medium-cost houses below RM100,000, from RM80,000 to RM90,000 per unit.
“In addition to this, housing loan rates should be raised and loan interest rates lowered from 4% to 1% as has been proposed by Cuepacs to the government.”
Azih also expressed his support to the leadership of the Prime Minister who was concerned enough to launch a programme to provide housing for civil servants and citizens who still did not own homes.
“I want to express gratitude for the efforts of the Prime Minister in making PPA1M a reality to enable civil servants to own homes.
“I also hope that the National Housing Policy is more consistent in continuing to build houses for civil servants so that all public servants are not left out from owning their own homes.”
In the meantime, he said, Cuepacs also expected the government to consider the construction of more low-cost homes for the welfare of civil servants in the future.
Najib, during the launching and balloting session of PPA1M Bukit Jalil on Tuesday, was quoted as saying that for the welfare of civil servants who had contributed significantly, the government had agreed to build 100,000 housing units for them throughout the country.
The Prime Minister said the residential units that would be built would be sold at a price below the current market value of between RM100,000 and RM300,000 per unit.
Of the 100,000 units to be built, 1,536 units will be built in Bukit Jalil here.
He said this was part of the government’s existing commitment to the welfare of the people with a focus on target groups which needed comfortable homes.
“The government will never forget the services and sacrifices of civil servants and will continue to ensure the welfare and comfort of civil servants are always looked after.”
Also present at the ceremony were Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib and Kayamas managing director of assets Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong.