MADANI Government policy does not neglect the poor, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the policies of the MADANI Government will not overlook the interests of the poor in the country.

According to Bernama, using the example of the ground-breaking ceremony for Residensi Suria MADANI in Taman Desa held yesterday, the Prime Minister stated that this project benefits and provides comfort to those with lower incomes living in urban areas.

“The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) approved the project within 45 days… (which is) a record (set) since before independence until now, because usually the approval period ranges from eight months to one year and two months.

“But if the company provides, for instance, comprehensive geotechnical studies, EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment), and so on, there’s no reason (the project) cannot be approved so quickly.

“I am grateful that within a short time, we have demonstrated more effective implementation. When we launch the MADANI housing project below RM200,000 in Taman Desa, it is close to high-end (luxury) residential areas,” he said.

Anwar made these remarks while speaking at the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) in Bagan Serai, Perak, today.

The Prime Minister noted that some residents have written objections, stating that the project is unsuitable due to the high-rise buildings, which may affect cleanliness and congestion in the surrounding area.

In response, he said that luxury housing previously built in the area was constructed on former village land, with some land purchased at low prices.

“Who will clean, repair the electricity, and provide other facilities if not the lower-class workers? Where should they live, in remote areas? That is unreasonable.

“I do not concern myself with such objections as long as the houses are three-bedroom, 800 square feet, with good management and maintenance, green spaces, playgrounds, and cleanliness guarantees, that’s sufficient.

“Without (such housing projects), we would have a policy reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Tale of Two Cities,’ where there is a beautiful city with the poorest group and the wealthiest group,” he said.

Thus, Anwar said the MADANI Government must prioritize policies that address the needs of the poorer groups.

“I hope this serves as a lesson for all cities and towns,” he added.