10/10/2024

THURSDAY | OCT 10, 2024

3 ‘Govt intervention needed to control rising rental rates’

Ministry set up to advance quality services KUALA LUMPUR: The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry led by Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof was established in December 2023 to advance the government’s commitment to delivering top-quality services through the empowerment of water and energy supply. Formerly known as the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry, the rebranding underscores its responsibility in managing and regulating the energy transition and water transformation agenda, which is guided by the key pillars of security, safety, sustainability and the well-being of the people. “The creation of the ministry to coordinate the energy and water sectors shows the government’s initiative to emphasise the importance of preserving the two sectors,” the ministry said in a statement. “The ministry guarantees a continuous and consistent energy and water supply, ensuring the quality of clean water and efficient and safe energy use. The ministry is committed to empowering the management and regulation of sustainable and exclusive energy and water supply, and improving public well-being with reliable access to energy supply and clean water supply.” In the energy sector, the ministry supports government efforts to achieve a zero-carbon policy by 2050 while ensuring the safety of the public. To ensure the four Madani pillars are integrated into the energy sector, the ministry has introduced several key initiatives, namely Solar@Petra, the Renewable Energy Roadmap, the Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry Reform, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the National Energy Policy and the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through. The water sector encompasses management, supply services and a holistic, sustainable sewer system to ensure the availability and reliability of water for public well-being and the ecosystem. To ensure the security and sustainability of the water sector, several initiatives have been implemented, including the Water Mitigation Programme, the National Flood Forecast and Warning Programme, National River Trail Programme, National Non-Revenue Water Programme, Riverside Water Catchment Project, reclaimed water production, comprehensive tariff adjustments and the Indah Water Konsortium sewerage charge rebate. The 10 departments and agencies include the Energy Commission, which controls and implements energy policy, the National Water Services Commission, which controls water supply services, Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd, which is responsible for managing sewerage services, and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, which manages river basins and drainage systems. – Bernama

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Talks held with China to boost twin city cooperation KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said she has held discussions with Mayor of Hangzhou (China) Yao Gaoyuan to strengthen twin cities cooperation between Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou. Zaliha, who is on a six-day official visit to China that started on Monday, said the discussion was an extension of the KL20 Summit initiative in April, in which the two cities signed a letter of intent to collaborate on KL20 projects focused on smart city technology and innovation. “I emphasised Kuala Lumpur’s willingness to establish strategic cooperation that could bring mutual benefits. I have extended an invitation to Yao to visit Kuala Lumpur to further strengthen the bond between our dynamic cities.” She said she also told Yao about Kuala Lumpur’s interest in strengthening economic ties and exploring potential investment opportunities with Hangzhou for mutual benefit. “Hopefully, this will give us the opportunity to share best practices in urban development and innovation.“ She also shared good news delivered by Yao on the achievement of Hangzhou being chosen as the “Friendliest City” by the Chinese government. – Bernama “I think we cannot apply the same rental rules to everyone since property owners invest differently in their homes, such as renovations and maintenance. Still, the government needs to do something.” are also utility bills to consider.” She said the increase in rental costs has tightened their budgets, leading them to reduce spending on other activities. She also said the main challenge in finding affordable housing in her area is the lack of options as everything that is nice seems to be out of reach or has numerous restrictions attached while cheaper ones are too far or in poor condition. “The current rental prices are unjustified considering the value you get in return. It is not like we are in a high-class area or getting loads of perks with our rental. “Only three bedrooms can be accessed because the master bedroom is locked, denying us use of the whole house. Yet, we still need to pay the full rent.” She said there should be regulations to control rental prices in high-demand areas and address discriminatory practices that limit housing options based on race.

o Balanced approach of regulation and increasing housing supply would work: Expert

PETALING Government intervention is critical to control the rising cost of renting properties and stabilise the market, so policies should encompass rent control, affordable housing development subsidies or tax incentives for landlords who offer fair rent, said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia property economics and finance Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Najib Razali. He was commenting on property rental prices, which have risen on average by 3.9% in the second quarter of 2024, according to an IQI Malaysia Home Rental Index report. “However, rent control policies could have unintended consequences, such as reducing incentives for landlords to maintain properties and discouraging new property investments. “A balanced approach that combines regulation with efforts to increase the overall housing supply would likely be more effective.” He said rising rental prices are being driven by demand for rental JAYA:

areas, upward trend supported by increasing urbanisation, supply constraints and the rising cost of living. “It could stabilise if more supply enters the market, such as new rental units or affordable housing developments. Economic recovery and government policies aimed at cooling the property market may also provide some relief. “In Malaysia, any increase in house price and rental would have a significant impact on the lower-income group.” English literature teacher Alya Nadirah Mohd Hamdan, 34, expressed concern over rising rental costs, which have made it harder for many to find affordable housing. “The rent keeps going up but government salaries do not keep pace with rental rates. My three colleagues and I have been sharing a four-bedroom house in Bandar Seri Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan for about a year. We split the RM1,600 monthly rent among us but there with the

properties, which is prompted by affordability issues in the home-buying market. He also said many potential homebuyers are delaying purchases due to higher interest rates and economic uncertainty, leading to competition for rented properties. “Inflationary pressures, rising maintenance and construction costs have forced landlords to adjust rental rates upwards. The influx of foreign workers has also increased demand in major urban centres.” He said the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru are experiencing the highest rental price growth as they are key economic hubs with more job opportunities, education centres and better infrastructure. “The growing popularity of short-term rentals on platforms such as Airbnb in these areas has further driven up long-term rental rates.” Muhammad Najib said in the short to medium term, rental prices are likely to continue rising, especially in high-demand urban

ECOFRIENDLY EVENT ... A visitor being briefed on solar energy at the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Almost RM40 billion allocated for Sabah infrastructure KOTA KINABALU: The government has allocated almost RM40 billion to implement public infrastructure projects in Sabah, which are currently in pre-construction and construction, including the Pan Borneo Highway Package 1A and Package 1B. RM26.6 billion is for the construction of the highway packages. Works Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Sabah Public Works Department.”

and ethical because the Madani government places great emphasis on good governance. On a separate matter, he said road users may download the MYJalan app to make complaints involving potholes on roads so that immediate action can be taken. “It is an app that was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last year and I hope it will be used here in Sabah.” – Bernama

Ahmad expressed hope that the delay in the construction of Package 1A would not be repeated in the implementation of Package 1B, with observance of guidelines on the objectives of public well-being, speed of action, reasonable cost, guaranteed quality and innovation. He said there must be a team that is reliable, wise, efficient, dedicated

He said there are 47 projects involving RM5.78 billion to build roads, bridges and buildings, 200 projects involving RM5.04 billion for infrastructure in villages and other regions, 200 projects involving RM1.71 billion for schools, and 41 projects involving RM0.43 billion for clinics and hospitals. “The projects are managed by the

Deputy Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said 488 projects, costing about RM13 billion, involve infrastructure projects under the Works Ministry while