16/10/2025

THURSDAY | OCT 16, 2025

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Billions allocated to improve housing landscape

‘Rising cost of living outpacing financial aid’

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Penang Hindu Association has warned that Budget 2026’s cash handouts and targeted subsidies are losing their punch as the cost of living continues to outpace financial aid. Its president Datuk P. Murugiah said while programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, Sumbangan Asas Rahmah and the Budi95 fuel subsidy remain in place, their real value has shrunk. “The handout amounts have not increased in line with rising prices. With inflation expected at 3% to 3.5% next year, what RM100 buys today would be less tomorrow. The amount stays the same, but everything costs more. “Many elderly people continue to face neglect or lack proper retirement support. Even with the Senior Citizens Fund, capacity must be increased to meet demand,” he said. He added that B40 families are struggling to make ends meet despite the aid. Murugiah said tax incentives in Budget 2026, such as the RM4,000 EPF matching grant and stamp-duty exemptions, benefit only those with savings or plans to buy property. “These measures do not help the poorest households because they simply do not qualify,” he said. He urged the government to review subsidy amounts annually to keep pace with inflation and ensure constituency funds are used transparently and reach those in need. Murugiah called for a stronger social security scheme covering informal workers through a pension-style model, as well as free electricity for eligible households via rooftop solar installations under the Solar for Rakyat programme. only protect animals but also improve public health, road safety and disaster preparedness while promoting shared responsibility between citizens and the state. “Animal welfare reflects a nation’s values and compassion. How we treat the most vulnerable shows who we are as a society. With proper policy support, Malaysia could build a humane and sustainable model for stray management that protects both people and animals.” Malaysian Animal Welfare Association founder Mukunnan Sugumaran echoed the concern, saying the omission reflects gaps within the responsible ministry. “The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, which oversees the Veterinary Services Department, has failed to look at the full ecosystem needs,” he said. “The department has long claimed to be under-resourced, and without a budget allocation, the situation would only worsen. Their ability to investigate cruelty cases and uplift capabilities would remain limited.” He also called for a review of the Act, describing it as outdated and full of loopholes. “The Act does not even cover the welfare of homeless or stray animals. A new team with real on-ground understanding is needed to draft an effective and compassionate policy.” He added that NGOs and activists should work more closely with authorities to raise awareness and educate younger generations about animal welfare. “Malaysia should move towards a no-kill policy. If trap–neuter–release–manage is not ideal, then local councils should allocate land to house strays under NGO management, with adoption as a key priority,” he said.

o Measures under Budget 2026 address

that could reduce financial strain on public workers, particularly those who are just starting their careers or posted far from home.” He also said raising the Public Sector Home Financing Board financing limit to “RM1 million and extending youth housing schemes would help young civil servants purchase homes amid rising property prices. He added that the move gives young professionals more flexibility to buy quality homes near urban centres or transport hubs, encouraging early homeownership and improving financial stability, although its success depends on ensuring sufficient affordable housing supply. “While expanded financing schemes improve access to homeownership, they also risk driving up prices in the affordable segment if not balanced with supply-side measures. Increased demand without matching supply could inflate prices, making ‘affordable’ housing less affordable.” He urged the government to back these initiatives with strong planning frameworks, fast-track approvals and firm enforcement of price ceilings in affordable projects. “Affordable housing must be protected not just through subsidies, but also by addressing root socioeconomic factors such as wage growth, cost of living and regional disparities. Only by uplifting living standards alongside housing access can Malaysia realise its high-income vision.” He said extending similar schemes to private-sector workers is fair and necessary because while civil servants benefit from the Public Sector Home Financing Board and other support, most Malaysians work in the private sector and face equal or greater hurdles in

buying homes. He proposed rent-to-own arrangements, shared equity housing or expanded loan guarantees for low and middle-income private sector workers, especially those in urban, informal and gig economy roles. “Ensuring housing access across all employment sectors is key to narrowing inequality and fulfilling national housing goals.” Budget 2026 also provides Kuala Lumpur City Hall with RM500 million to upgrade hawker centres, markets and People’s Housing Project facilities. Muhammad Najib said this would benefit small businesses and improve food safety. He added that upgrades to People’s Housing Project flats, such as safer lifts, cleaner surroundings and better lighting, would help reduce urban decay and strengthen community pride. “Improving public housing and hawker centres could raise nearby property values and attract investors. “Cleaner, safer areas make neighbourhoods more appealing and boost confidence among residents and businesses. “However, rising property prices must be managed carefully to prevent long-time residents or traders from being priced out. Keeping housing truly affordable is key to inclusive growth.” Muhammad Najib welcomed the RM300 million allocation to upgrade People’s Housing Project flats, calling it a good start to fix critical issues, such as faulty lifts, wiring and plumbing. “Without a sustainable system, buildings could fall into disrepair again once the initial funds are used up.”

homeownership challenges, promote urban equity: Real estate economist

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Efforts to uplift Malaysia’s housing landscape are gathering pace under Budget 2026, with billions allocated to upgrade government quarters, expand housing access for young and contract civil servants, and improve public facilities in Kuala Lumpur. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia real estate economist Dr Muhammad Najib Razali said these measures not only address homeownership challenges, but also strengthen community wellbeing and promote greater urban equity. He said the government’s latest housing initiatives, including a RM2.2 billion allocation to refurbish civil servant quarters, expand loan guarantees and enhance youth-friendly financing schemes, aim to improve living standards and raise urban liveability. “By investing in dignified living spaces, especially in urban centres or hardship areas, the government affirms the importance of the civil service and ensures living conditions match professional expectations. “This also serves as long-term compensation PETALING JAYA: Animal welfare organisations have raised concern over the repeated omission of allocations for stray management and welfare in successive budgets, saying the continued oversight risks undermining efforts to improve public health and safety. Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said the lack of dedicated funding reflects the government’s continued under-recognition of animal welfare as a national responsibility. “Stray animal management and welfare are matters of public health, road safety and community responsibility. “Every year, NGOs and volunteers shoulder the full burden of rescuing and caring for thousands of strays, often without any government assistance. The absence of a budget allocation once again leaves these efforts unsupported and unsustainable.” He said animal welfare continues to be treated as a secondary issue despite its clear links to disease control, road collisions and disaster response. “Issues such as rabies control, road crashes involving strays and post-disaster animal rescue are intertwined with public health and safety. As long as animal welfare is viewed purely as an NGO responsibility, Malaysia would continue to face preventable problems.” The association is urging the government to establish an official Animal Welfare Fund under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry or in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Department. Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

NGOs bemoan lack of funds for animal welfare in Budget 2026

Kalaivanan said with proper policy support, Malaysia could build a humane and sustainable model for stray management that protects both people and animals. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

He said such a fund would provide consistent and transparent support for key programmes, including large-scale trap–neuter–release (TNR) operations, shelter aid, veterinary care and disaster response. “A formal fund would bring structure, accountability and long-term continuity, something ad hoc grants or corporate social responsibility donations cannot achieve,”he said. He added that an annual allocation of between RM20 million and RM30 million would be a practical start for coordinated programmes, such as a Stray Animal Healthcare Fund, shelter

support and an Animal Disaster Response Unit. “What matters most is that animal welfare finally receives its own line in the federal budget, recognising it as a legitimate public concern.” Before the budget announcement, the association had outlined a seven-point wish list, which included a nationwide TNR programme, a Stray Animal Healthcare Fund, shelter grants for NGOs, an Animal Disaster Response Unit, stronger enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, regulated feeding stations and a national pet registration system. Kalaivanan said these measures would not