5 February, KUALA LUMPUR – Input from the ninth World Urban Forum (WUF9) will be used to help empower the re-enactment of the National Public Housing Management Corporation Act, especially to re-plan public housing which is over 25 years old, said Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, Tan Sri Noh Omar.
He said eight major national urban agenda, including housing regulations, would be brought to the international forum to be discussed.
“The regulations which existed 25 years ago may no longer be appropriate today, and it is time to set up a corporation and legislation to redevelop low-cost housing and PPRs (People’s Housing Projects).
“The outcome of the discussion on the eight major points at the forum will be taken into account for the formation of new rules to be included under the National Public Housing Management Corporation Act which is currently being drafted,” he told reporters after the handing over of the WUF9 sponsorship cheque.
Noh said under the regulation, the planned development would not only guarantee the rights of homeowners but also provide them with better housing such as room spaces and other facilities.
He said several areas had been identified to implement the new rules, including Residensi Kerinchi and Razak Mansion, which were transformed into integrated modern residences last year.
“The two areas were once low-cost housing and the facilities may have been suitable to that of 30 years ago, but now it needs to be reorganised,” he said.
Meanwhile, Noh said 27,000 participants from 192 countries had registered online for WUF9 to date.
“A total of 69 ministers and 20 deputies have registered to participate in this forum, thus boosting the country’s tourism industry,” he said.
He said the forum also received sponsorship amounting to RM1,420,000 from 19 local corporate firms.
The biennial programme is set to take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) with the theme ‘Cities 2030, Cities For All’ from Feb 7 to 13.
– BERNAMA