LEDANG: Housing projects in Johor are being developed equitably to benefit all segments of society, Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today, following criticism over the pace of affordable housing development in the state.
Zahid said the state government under menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi had also allocated RM100 million to build free homes for the hardcore poor.
“Housing development in Johor is not focussed solely on the M40 and T20 groups,” he said, referring to the middle-income and upper-income classes.
“The state government is also implementing affordable housing schemes,” said Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, after a meet-and-greet session with Chinese voters in Tangkak Jaya.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had criticised the slow pace of affordable housing development in Johor. He said the state must place greater emphasis on the needs of lower-income groups.
He said property prices in Johor Bahru have risen significantly, making it increasingly difficult for young people and newly formed families to own homes. He called for improvements in the state’s land use planning.
