07/08/2025

THURSDAY | AUG 7, 2025

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Govt targets one million affordable homes under 13MP PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will accelerate housing reform and construction technology adoption under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with a focus on building one million affordable homes and integrating housing with public transport systems. Minister Nga Kor Ming said the 13MP sets a clear path for sustainable urban development while ensuring no community is left behind. “The strategies and initiatives strengthen Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, in line with our role as President of the UN-Habitat Assembly,” he said in a statement yesterday. A key thrust of the plan is the expansion of the industrialised building system (IBS) and building information modelling (BIM) in the construction sector, he said. “The technologies will reduce costs, waste and project timelines, while improving quality and productivity.” He said widespread use of IBS and BIM will directly support the government’s long-term goal of delivering one million affordable homes over the next decade. The ministry will also push for broader implementation of transit-oriented development (TOD) strategies to improve urban mobility and access. “By integrating affordable housing projects with public transport systems through TOD, we can improve access – especially for the B40 group – to education and employment opportunities.” Nga said the ministry is also developing an integrated housing data repository to ensure housing policies are aligned with the actual needs and affordability levels of the rakyat. On concerns over homeownership security, he said the ministry is reviewing regulations to mandate the handover of strata titles at the point of vacant possession. Efforts to support the urban hardcore poor will continue, including home repair and rebuilding programmes, he added. “Between 2023 and 2024, the ministry repaired 4,814 homes and built 245 new units, using a total allocation of RM104.4 million. “Solid waste management will also be strengthened under the circular economy framework, with improved systems to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency.” Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

CJ vows to defend judicial independence

Ű BY AZURA ABAS newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Wan Ahmad Farid pledges unwavering commitment to impartiality, reform and accountability in first address as chief justice

upholding your client’s interest. “Datuk Wan Adnan reminded me, ‘Your decisions will echo far beyond your chambers. We are ultimately answerable to our creator.’” With their guidance, the chief justice reiterated his commitment to uphold the judiciary’s independence and made clear it must be protected at all costs. “When all avenues of recourse are closed, the rakyat and even the government will look to the courts for an impartial resolution of their disputes. To my brother and sister judges, let us not fail them. “I am not in this chair because I am the best. Far from it. I was not born great, nor have I achieved greatness. What I have is the responsibility of leadership entrusted to me.” The chief justice noted his post is not a tashrif (privilege), but taklif – a heavy trust and serious accountability. He reminded judges that while not all parties will be pleased with a verdict, every litigant must feel heard. “Do not shut them out. Ensure the losing party walks away knowing they were given the right to be heard and their day in court.” The chief justice also said the judiciary would continue working alongside the Bar and AGC to uphold justice. “In my working visits to the states in the next few months, I will continue my engagement with the stakeholders. “I am particularly excited to meet the Young Lawyers Committees of the State Bars. I say so because I am committed to seeing an improvement in the standards of advocacy among young lawyers in our courts.” Wan Ahmad Farid closed with a call for all players in the legal ecosystem – from judges to prosecutors and lawyers – to move forward together. “Let there be a strong message that judicial independence shall remain loud and clear – echoing not just through the halls of the Palace of Justice, but through all corners of society and every corridor of power in this country.” where road surfaces are not properly restored after excavation. He said the ministry will also conduct a swell investigation (soil testing) to assess soil and structural stability for elevated roads. This involves studying how soil or materials expand when exposed to changes like moisture or temperature. “In flood-prone areas, roads will be raised to ensure they remain accessible during the monsoon season.” On pothole complaints, Nga said they must be addressed within 24 hours of being reported, while other types of road damage must be resolved within 15 working days.

PETALING JAYA: Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has vowed to defend the judiciary’s independence, stressing that the courts must never yield to external pressure. “I give you my unconditional pledge, in the name of my creator – I will vigorously protect and relentlessly safeguard the independence of our branch of government with every fibre of my being,” he said in his first official address as chief justice. Wan Ahmad Farid, who has served in all three branches of government, acknowledged his political past, but made it clear that he now speaks only as the chief justice. “I cannot erase my history, political or otherwise. Nor do I want to. That is who I am. But as I assume this most solemn amanah (trust) and for as long as I occupy this chair, I will uphold the judiciary’s independence.” Quoting poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, the chief justice stressed that understanding past crises – notably the 1988 judicial crisis and the events leading to the 2007 Royal Commission of Inquiry – is essential to reform.

“The AGC must strike a delicate balance between its prosecutorial powers and its role as government advisor. I trust it will act with integrity in upholding judicial independence.” On the Bar’s responsibilities, he quoted Section 42(1)(a) of the Legal Profession Act 1976: “Its purpose is to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour.” Calling for more Bench and Bar engagement, he cited his participation in the KL Bar Run: “It is far easier for us to reach out to each other and speak on matters of importance while wearing t-shirts and sweatpants.” The chief justice also paid tribute to his mentors – the late Tan Sri Wan Adnan Ismail and his cousin, former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Wan Adnan Muhammad – for shaping his principles. “Tan Sri Wan Adnan told me, ‘Be honest. There is no room for intellectual dishonesty in

“If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going. Only by recognising and learning from the past can we chart a meaningful future,” he said. Laying out his reform agenda, Wan Ahmad Farid committed to: 0 Assigning circuit judges to fast track ageing cases; 0 Expanding mobile courts to Peninsular Malaysia; 0 Reviving circuit sittings for apex courts outside the Klang Valley; 0 Strengthening commercial law specialisation to boost investor confidence; and 0 Advancing the use of technology and AI to widen access to justice. The chief justice said these are not miracle promises, but they are actionable steps. “Let us be a towering example on the world stage.” Wan Ahmad Farid also reminded the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), the Malaysian Bar and its East Malaysian counterparts of their shared duty to uphold the rule of law.

Wan Ahmad Farid said his post is not a tashrif (privilege), but taklif - a heavy trust and serious accountability. – PIC COURTESY OF THE MALAYSIAN JUDICIARY

Road complaints made easier with enhanced MyJalan app

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

location pin on the map and complete the complaint form before submission. “To date, around 53,000 users have downloaded the app via the Apple App Store, Google Play and Huawei AppGallery, proving that claims of it being difficult to use are not true.” Ahmad Maslan also identified several causes of road damage, including weather changes (such as alternating rain and heat or flooding), overloaded heavy vehicles – which are being addressed in coordination with the Road Transport Department – ageing road surfaces, substandard pavement quality and utility works

respective agencies will directly inform the complainant of the resolution,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS–Batang Lupar). Ahmad Maslan said the ministry has enhanced the MyJalan app based on user feedback and emerging technological needs, with one key improvement – the ability for users to lodge complaints even if they are not physically present at the site of damage. He explained users must identify the damaged location using the in-app Google Maps search, drop a

under other authorities. They include municipal roads overseen by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, village roads under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, agricultural routes under the Irrigation and Drainage Department and state roads managed by respective state governments. “For the federal roads, users can monitor the status of complaint resolutions via the MyJalan app under the status section. For complaints under the responsibility of other parties that do not use the Public Complaint Management System, the

PETALING JAYA: The MyJalan mobile application, developed by the Works Ministry, has recorded a total of 39,371 road-related complaints from Aug 2023 until June 30 this year. During the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said of the total complaints, 11,959 cases (30.4%) involved federal roads under the ministry, while the remaining 27,412 reports (69.6%) were related to roads