Malay group supports Johor Sultan’s role in state housing board

(Bernama) – The Johor Malay NGOs Coordinating Council (Gabung) is in full support of the new enactment for the formation of the Johore Housing and Property Board (LBHJ) allowing the involvement of the Sultan in the board.

Its treasurer, Zaini Atan said it was important to balance real estate development and housing development in the state.

“The Sultan should be given room to ensure that Johor develops in a balanced manner because the current development is deemed to have sidelined the Malays from living in the urban areas,” he said at a press conference in Johor Baru today.

Low-income people could not afford to buy high-priced homes that were more widely available in the state, he said.

“People should recall that it was the Sultan who consented the construction of the Stulang People’s Housing Project (PPR) so that people who are less fortunate in the city can also own own homes,” he said.

Gabung urged leaders from outside Johor not to be too emotional and be influenced by the opposition propaganda that criticised the Bill to enact the formation of the Johor Housing and Property Board.

At the state assembly sitting today, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Bill to be tabled tomorrow, would have amendments to the provisions pertaining to the role of the Sultan in the board.