KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is developing a super app on housing, while promoting transparency and ease of doing business.

Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said the public would be able to see the developers' track records, as well as the housing projects' information such as flood risks and pricing, before making home purchase decisions.

"It will utilise big data analytics that also serve as a guide for developers and hopefully help reduce property overhang.

"Currently, we don't have a single system where all the information on housing is available," he told reporters after the launch of the Asean-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing (ACMROCH) 2024.

Nga said the ministry was in the midst of fine-tuning the app, which is expected to be launched next year.

He said engagement sessions were also being held with industry players to gather their input before it is introduced.

Earlier, in his speech, Nga said the initiative will help create more effective, data-driven policies for better planning.

He said Malaysia continues to make the best use of digital technology to help regulate and manage housing developments through the Housing Integrated Management System (HIMS).

"This system has significantly reduced the time taken to process developers' licences and advertising permits, resulting in a more efficient and transparent process.

"We are now embarking on a new public housing model, the People's Residential Programme (PRR)."

The PRR is envisioned to be well-integrated, sustainable, and liveable, featuring green spaces, community centres, and also commercial viability, he said.

He added that it is more than providing a steady supply of affordable housing but offers residents a place to live, work and play.

"It will also incorporate green initiatives to ensure we abide by our commitment to energy transition and low carbon emissions."

In conjunction with ACMROCH 2024, the 23rd International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (ARCHIDEX) 2024 is being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre until Saturday.

Nga said some 700 exhibitors, including from China, are participating in the expo, with target transactions of over RM1 billion and 40,000 visitors.

It offers a wide range of exhibition themes tailored to the needs of the industry, including audiovisual and lighting technology, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Industrialised Building Systems (IBS), building materials and landscaping, among others.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1071851/ministry-developing-super-app-assist-homebuyers