03/08/2025

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday AUG 3, 2025

Target of 1m affordable homes viable: Experts

Egg prices stable despite subsidy removal

‘Unified coordinating agency urgently needed to avoid overlapping responsibilities among stakeholders, ensure streamlined implementation’

KUALA LUMPUR: Checks have found no significant increase in egg prices following the restructuring of egg subsidies. According to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Price Catcher app, the prices of 30 Grade A, B and C eggs remain stable, ranging from RM10.40 to RM12.60 at supermarkets in the capital. Rafiah Rahmat, 58, a consumer in Johor, expressed hope that the subsidy removal would not lead to excessive price hikes. “We must view the government decision positively as there are valid reasons behind it. As consumers, we hope prices remain reasonable, quality is maintained and supply stays sufficient.” Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the ministry has not received any complaints of unreasonable egg price hikes. Checks on several grocery shops in Kota Bharu found that egg prices remain between RM11.50 and RM15 for a tray of 30, depending on the grade. Hasnah Saad, 58, a shop owner in Kampung Derdap, said prices have not changed as they are still selling existing stock. “The supplier has informed us that the new prices may be higher. If that’s the case, we’ll have no choice but to sell according to the current market rate.” Hasnah also said although demand for eggs have increased recently, supply remains sufficient for now. She added that the profit margin for retailers is minimal, and any change in prices from suppliers would directly affect selling prices. Mohd Azrul Nasir, 46, a consumer, urged the government to take a more proactive role in ensuring a stable supply of eggs. Kedah Consumer Association president Mohd Yusrizal Yusoff urged the authorities to be more hands-on, including in terms of monitoring, to prevent a sudden spike in egg prices. He said consumers should remain protected under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2010. The government announced the removal of egg subsidies effective Aug 1. – Bernama

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

implemented planned because it spans a long period, until 2030. “All approved projects must be implemented promptly because any delay will cause disappointment among the people,” he said after officiating at the Mappa XX 2025 Run in Putrajaya yesterday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13MP in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, said the monitoring mechanism would as Scheme, must also support B40 and M40 buyers.” He added that under the 12th Malaysia Plan, about 57.8% of the 500,000 unit target was achieved by March 2024, with progress surging this year. He said achieving the 13MP goal requires building 585,000 units over the next decade, about 58,500 annually. He also said past schemes such as PR1MA, while aimed at lower income groups, were undermined by speculation and unsustainable financing. “Some buyers resold their units immediately after the moratorium, undermining the purpose of affordable housing. Others depleted their EPF savings to qualify for loans, putting their financial security at risk.” He said the government must improve long term ownership monitoring, balance supply with real local demand and enforce clearer boundaries to prevent speculation. “Between 2020 and 2025, units priced under RM300,000 made up over 55% of total housing transactions, yet only 23% of unsold units were in this price range. “This reflects strong demand and affirms the importance of aligning supply with real affordability.” Housing community expert

PUTRAJAYA: Every project under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will be monitored regularly to ensure that there are no delays in implementation, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. He said the monitoring would be jointly conducted by the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry, with reports to be made twice a year. “This time, we will really make sure that the 13MP is PETALING The government pledge to construct one million affordable homes under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is realistic but will require consistent momentum and tighter coordination, say experts. UTM real estate economy expert Dr Muhammad Najib Razali said current data supports the target viability because about 180,000 units have been completed this year, with an additional 235,000 under construction, bringing the total to approximately 415,000 homes. “If this rate of development can be accelerated, the one million target is well within reach.” However, he said a unified coordinating agency is urgently needed to avoid overlapping responsibilities among stakeholders and ensure streamlined implementation. He recommended scaling up the use of technologies such as the Industrialised Building System and Building Information Modelling to reduce costs and accelerate delivery timelines. “Inclusive financing mechanisms, such as expanding the Rent-to-Own scheme and Credit Guarantee Housing JAYA:

Rohayu said affordable housing must be habitable, accessible and sustainable for long term use. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Shamsul Azri also expressed appreciation to about 12,000 participants who took part in the run yesterday. “Healthy citizens, prosperous nation. Let’s be active and engage in sports,” he said. Also present were Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa. – Bernama not building communities. We’re building shells.” UiTM Shah Alam Built Environment expert Assoc Prof Dr Rohayu Abdul Majid said public-private partnerships and tech like 3D printing could speed up delivery, but only if homes are built where they are needed. “Affordable housing must go beyond visibility, it must be habitable, accessible and sustainable for long term use.” She stressed the need for micro-level demand mapping and stronger federal-state private sector collaboration to prevent mismatches between supply and demand. “Rising land and material costs remain a challenge, but fast approvals, tax breaks and digital tools could help, if homes are to stay truly affordable for B40 and M40 buyers.”

be enhanced through the Policy Implementation Plan Monitoring System. “The 13MP governance structure will also be mobilised in stages, culminating in reports to the Cabinet.” Anwar said under the 13MP, infrastructure and public facility projects involving flood mitigation and improved road accessibility are among the people-centric initiatives that would be prioritised from 2026 to 2030. Assoc Prof Dr Noorsidi Aizuddin Mat Noor said the one million target is possible, but warned that poor delivery models could undermine the effort. He said many past initiatives were built in so-called “strategic” locations without considering whether residents could actually live and work there. “Too often, feasibility studies are based on outdated or inaccurate data. We need to assess real readiness, such as whether jobs, schools and clinics are nearby, not just label a site as ‘promising’”. Noorsidi said speculation remains a threat, and called for a transparent, tech-driven one-stop system for housing allocation and monitoring of resales. “If people don’t feel these homes are meant for them, we’re

13MP projects to be monitored regularly to avoid delays

United Kingdom ready to collaborate in key sectors KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom is ready to collaborate with Malaysia in areas such as technology transfer, joint Zambry Abdul Kadir. The cooperation would also cover specialised skills training in emerging fields such as renewable energy, green receiving a courtesy call from UK Minister of State for Skills Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith in Putrajaya yesterday.

“These not only produce highly skilled graduates but are also actively expanding the implementation of ‘Work Based Learning’ and strengthening ties with both local and international industries.” – Bernama institutions

Malaysia and the United Kingdom in higher education and skills development. “I shared that Malaysia has 36 polytechnics and 105 community colleges, which play a major role in advancing technical and vocational education and training.

“This bilateral meeting paved the way for constructive discussions on strengthening strategic cooperation between

curriculum development, and student and academic staff exchanges, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr

technology, automation and artificial intelligence, he said in a post on his Facebook page after