National Community Policy to uplift lives of the B40

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is set to launch the National Community Policy (NCP) next month to help transform the lives of the B40 group, such as those living in the People’s Housing Projects (PPR).

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the NCP would entail the government going to the ground to educate and engage with the rakyat. The objective is to empower the B40 in multiple ways.

To do this more effectively, the ministry is also working with the private sector and NGOs. One of the areas of improvement identified is proper property management of their living premises.

“The new government is very focussed on the B40 group. We believe that if we can improve the quality of life or standard of living of this B40 group, it will also raise the status of Malaysia to be that of a developed country. So, this is something that we want to do,” she told reporters at a media conference after the launch of a property talk show at Wisma Bernama today.

“When I go down to the field and meet the B40 community, I always urge them to take care of the cleanliness of their houses and ensure the safety of the premises. Because when you want to upgrade or move to a bigger house and sell the present house, it will give you a good price,”she added.

Meanwhile, EdgeProp.my is spearheading a list of companies in the private sector, mainly developers, to help contribute towards the success of the NCP.

Last Friday (Jan 11), EdgeProp.my and some of the participating companies attended a meeting held at the ministry chaired by KPKT deputy secretary general (policy) Dr Mary Wong Lai Lin. Those present included representatives from Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd, Gamuda Land, IOI Properties Group Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, MKH Bhd, OSK Property, Paramount Property, SunSuria and Henry Butcher Malaysia (Mont’Kiara) who shared ideas on how they could improve the lives of the B40 group.

“The NCP is one of KPKT’s initiatives to create a sustainable generation and community with the involvement of all parties,” Zuraida told EdgeProp.my.

“It is important to ensure that the mission is successful; the government, public and the private sectors work together for the development of society.

“This includes empowering communities with noble values and strengthening the spirit of unity among the populations within a community,” she added.

The seven main clusters of the NCP are infrastructure and maintenance; cleanliness, environment and health; safety; education, awareness and skills; caring for the needy, elderly, women, children and disabled; social services; entrepreneurship and social business; and sports and recreation.

This story first appeared in the EdgeProp.my pullout on Jan 18, 2019. You can access back issues here.