Attending to needs of Malaysians should be prioritised over asylum seekers, refugees

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https://refsa.org/the-great-divide-in-malaysias-housing-market/ (The great divide in Malaysia’s housing market)

Attending to needs of Malaysians should be prioritised over asylum seekers, refugees

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14, 2023: On Monday (June 12, 2022), Isam Isa (BN-Tampin) said in Parliament that public funds spent on refugees and asylum seekers would be better spent on Malaysians who are still reeling from the economic effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

“However, Putrajaya still provided humanitarian aid to refugees even though Malaysia was not a signatory of the United Nations refugees convention.

“ The Government still thought about refugees and asylum seekers after the pandemic struck, acknowledging Suhakam’s recommendations for these communities in its 2020 report.

“However, do we need to bear the problems brought upon by these refugees and asylum seekers, such as the cost of welfare (aid) and temporary detention depots, which run into millions annually?” he said.

Isam’s remarks should be taken seriously as there are 481 sick and 112 abandoned housing projects nationwide - with thousands of Malaysians suffering from losses or unable to afford housing.

The multi-million Ringgit spent on refugees and asylum seekers are better spent on the housing needs of Malaysians. Refugees and asylim seekers should, therefore, be repatriated soonest to save funds to attend to the needs of Malaysians.

That is only reality, natural and right. Not also forgetting the Unity Government's burden of more than RM1.5 trillion in national debt, no thanks to previous prime ministers and their governments.

Also in Parliament, Deputy Housing and Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasir said 22 projects under PR1MA Corporation Malaysia were currently under construction, including 13 “sick” ones.

He said 54 PR1MA projects had been completed with another 10 still in the planning.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below three news reports on the issue:

MALAYSIA

Govt identifies 481 sick, 112 abandoned projects nationwide

Local Govt Development Ministry in talks with SPAN, PSD to revive them, says deputy minister

 

Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (pic) says that to ensure that these sick projects can be completed according to the proposed time period, close cooperation between the federal and state governments should be done continuously and proactively. – Bernama pic, June 11, 2023

MACHANG – The Local Government Development Ministry has identified 481 sick projects and 112 abandoned projects across the country so far, its deputy minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said. 

He said besides having a task force to oversee the matter, the ministry is in talks with the relevant agencies and is in direct negotiations with the National Water Services Commission and Public Works Department in efforts to revive the projects. 

“Sick and abandoned projects are those that have exceeded their scheduled completion period. It takes longer to revive them as discussions over long periods are needed,” he said.

He told reporters this after a visit to the Taman Baiduri housing project in Jalan Banggol Judah, Labok here today.

Akmal Nasrullah said that there are 21 sick projects under the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA), but eight of those projects were successfully completed by the ministry within five months.

“We want to complete at least 10 PR1MA projects this year and are confident we can achieve this target.

“We will continue to monitor them closely through regular meetings with technical agencies and local authorities to avoid issues arising between developers and government agencies,” he said.

He said ensuring that these sick projects can be completed according to the proposed time period requires continuous and proactive close cooperation between the federal and state governments.

“Kelantan is one of the states with the highest percentage of private housing projects that do not follow the set plans.

“Therefore, we project late and sick projects to be reduced from 50% to 20% by 2024,” he said. – Bernama, June 11, 2023 (The Vibes)

22 PR1MA housing projects under construction

Deputy minister Akmal Nasir says 54 PR1MA projects have been completed so far.

Bernama - 14 Jun 2023, 3:41pm

 

One of the housing projects by PR1MA. (PR1MA pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-two projects under PR1MA Corporation Malaysia are currently under construction, including 13 “sick” ones.

Deputy local government development minister Akmal Nasir said that as of yesterday, 54 PR1MA projects had been completed, with another 10 still in the planning.

“Two of the 54 completed projects have received the certificate of completion and compliance (CCC). They are being inspected for defects before handover to the buyers.

“The keys to four more projects are in the process of being handed over in stages, starting yesterday,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Akmal was responding to Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar), who asked about the number of PR1MA housing projects that have not been handed over to buyers in each state.

Akmal said five of the PR1MA projects under construction were in Sabah, three in Malacca, two each in Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, and one each in Kedah and the Federal Territories.

He also advised members of the public interested in buying a PR1MA home to deal directly with the PR1MA management to prevent becoming victims of fraud.

Funds spent on refugees better used on rakyat, says MP

However, Isam Isa (BN-Tampin) says Putrajaya still provides humanitarian aid to refugees here even though Malaysia isn’t a signatory of the UN refugees convention.

FMT Reporters - 12 Jun 2023, 7:48pm

 

A backbench MP has questioned the need to bear the costs of welfare aid and temporary detention centres for refugees. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Public funds spent on refugees and asylum seekers would be better spent on Malaysians who are still reeling from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, says a backbencher.

Isam Isa (BN-Tampin) said, however, that Putrajaya still provided humanitarian aid to refugees even though Malaysia was not a signatory of the United Nations refugees convention.

He added that the government still thought about refugees and asylum seekers after the pandemic struck, acknowledging Suhakam’s recommendations for these communities in its 2020 report.

“However, do we need to bear the problems brought upon by these refugees and asylum seekers, such as the cost of welfare (aid) and temporary detention depots, which run into millions annually?” he said.

“Those funds can be used for other purposes, such as helping locals affected by the pandemic,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat debate on Suhakam’s 2020 report.

Don’t blindly follow western line on human rights

On the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT), Isam urged Suhakam to form its own human rights narrative in line with Malaysia’s values and norms, instead of “blindly” following the United Nations’ purported narrative.

“If we just become a ‘yes man’ without providing a counter-narrative, it’s like our country is being subjected to a new form of colonialism which would transform our values and laws under the name of human rights.

“So I hope Suhakam would make a firm stand on demands made by movements trying to normalise LGBT here. We do not want our long-standing family concepts and institutions to be eroded over time just because we want to be equal with the West.”

Isam also called on Putrajaya to maintain the existing version of the controversial Sosma security law, saying it was necessary for national security.

He added that the Independent Police Complaints Commission could ensure that Sosma detainees would be well-treated.