SPNB seeks private sector partnerships to reduce RMR housing waiting lists

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) is exploring public-private partnerships to speed up the construction of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) homes and reduce waiting lists nationwide.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the initiative would involve government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs) and private firms amid high demand for affordable housing.

She said the proposed collaborations would help SPNB increase its construction capacity beyond the government's annual RM500 million funding ceiling.

"SPNB is exploring strategic collaborations with government agencies, GLCs and the private sector to increase the implementation capacity of the RMR programme.

"Demand for RMR homes remains high, but the government's annual allocation is capped at RM500 million.

"Through these collaborations, we hope to accelerate the delivery of RMR homes and reduce waiting lists," she told the Dewan Rakyat.

She was responding to supplementary questions from Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran).

Aiman Athirah said the RM500 million allocation was the highest since the programme was introduced under the Eighth Malaysia Plan, compared with previous annual allocations of between RM300 million and RM400 million.

She said the RMR programme helped low-income households, particularly those in the B40 group, obtain safe and affordable housing.

The programme is open to Malaysians with monthly household incomes of RM5,000 or below who do not own a home or whose existing homes are dilapidated.

Eligible applicants must own land or obtain permission to build on family-owned land, subject to the programme's requirements.

Responding to the original question from Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) on housing allocations, approvals and construction for B40 households and young families in Bentong, Aiman Athirah said SPNB had implemented 26,260 RMR units nationwide under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

Of these, 2,774 units were in Pahang, involving RM213.14 million and accounting for 10.56 per cent of the national total.

She said Pahang ranked fifth in RMR implementation, with 131 units built in Bentong.

However, 769 applicants remained on the waiting list in Pahang, with demand expected to increase.

Under the 2024 programme, Pahang received RM44.6 million to build 650 RMR units.

Of the 550 applications approved at the time, 547 homes had been completed and three were under construction, while another 100 applications were undergoing final screening.

In Bentong, 25 applications were approved in 2024, with 24 homes completed and handed over to recipients and one nearing completion.

Young Syefura also raised concerns over completed homes lacking basic infrastructure, including water and electricity supply and drainage.

Aiman Athirah clarified that the RMR programme covered house construction, while supporting infrastructure was the responsibility of the relevant state government or applicant, depending on the arrangements.