KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 29): The Ministry of Local Government Development has successfully implemented 4,900 projects, the highest number ever recorded by the ministry, for the well-being of the people within the one-year administration of the Madani government, according to Minister Nga Kor Ming.

He said these projects included upgrading markets and public toilets, repairing community halls, building affordable houses, and maintaining drains and hill slopes in residential areas.

He stated that a total of 301 abandoned projects with a value of RM28.8 billion, involving 37,000 homebuyers, had been successfully rescued as a result of the establishment of a special task force assigned to monitor abandoned housing projects nationwide.

“This is a success that has never been achieved before [by previous governments]. So, we are very grateful, especially since these projects have been ongoing for so long, and the buyers have already finished paying their housing loans, but have not received the keys to their homes," he said.

He said this when asked about his ministry's main achievements in conjunction with the Madani government's one-year anniversary programme on the Selamat Pagi Malaysia show broadcast by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on Wednesday.

Nga said that in addition to abandoned projects, the ministry also focused on affordable housing projects, targeting the completion of 9,000 units of Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) homes for the comfort of the people this year.

“At the beginning of the year, through Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB), the ministry also set a target to build 4,000 units of people-friendly homes, but I believe that by next month, we will be able to complete 5,025 units, which is 25% more than the target," he said.

In terms of the economy, Nga announced that his ministry had helped create 16,294 entrepreneurs through the Urban Community Economic Empowerment Programme, with groups such as single mothers and the bottom 40% income group having been provided with training and equipment to start businesses, in line with the government's mission to eradicate hardcore poverty by December.

At the same time, he said the ministry had also eliminated a total of 1,618 illegal dumpsites nationwide this year through Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corp (SWCorp), in addition to implementing "BMW standard" public toilets - clean, beautiful, and fragrant - as a measure to support Visit Malaysia 2026.

“Next year, this policy, which currently awards the Best Toilet honour to hotels, restaurants, Rest and Recreation (R&R) areas, petrol stations, and shopping centres, will be expanded to all local authorities and schools to ensure that we can provide the best facilities for Visit Malaysia 2026," he said.

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