THE people of Johor will receive a “special gift” from the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in conjunction with his 59th birthday.
The ruler has initiated a housing scheme called the “Rumah Impian Sultan Ibrahim”, a first-of-its-kind housing scheme that will be built under the auspices of the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation.
The ruler was instrumental in the design and getting these “dream homes” off the ground in an effort to address the plight of people who were unable to own houses.
In an exclusive interview with Media Prima at the Flintstone Palace in Mersing recently, Sultan Ibrahim shared his vision of developing housing schemes for a multiracial community and instilling neighbourliness.
“I want all my subjects to be able to purchase the homes which I have envisioned under the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation.
“It will involve building houses priced under RM100,000 as that’s the way I want it to be.”
There will be 1,840 homes, including landed bungalows and semi-detached units, that will be built in phases in three locations here.
The first phase of the project, comprising 600 units of bungalows and semi-detached units, will begin construction in Bandar Dato’ Onn here by August.
In a statement issued by the Royal Press Office Johor Darul Ta’zim yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim said he invited the people to view the new housing project during its soft launch tomorrow.
“I don’t want to reveal too much now, but the people are welcome to the Galleria at Plaza Kotaraya tomorrow for the soft launch of this exciting project,” Sultan Ibrahim said.
He said the unique freehold development under the aegis of the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation, and in collaboration with Bank Rakyat, would offer different residential property concepts, shophouses and other commercial units.
“I want Bangsa Johor to be a home-owning society.
“I want this to be a first-of-its-kind housing scheme that is truly affordable, and offering the cheapest and best quality houses to the people.
“Imagine owning a three-bedroom bungalow or a semi-detached house priced at below RM100,000 per unit.
“It will be opened to all eligible Bangsa Johor,” said the ruler.
“But, the vetting process will be stringent.
“Successful applicants will only need to pay a deposit of RM1 for a full loan with an easy repayment scheme.”
Sultan Ibrahim expected this unique project to shake up the housing industry and force private developers to bring down house prices.
“We must make housing more affordable.
“The prices now are way beyond the reach of the average wage earner.”
The ruler said each landed three-room property would have 1,100 sq ft of floor space and would be “three-quarter” furnished.
Sultan Ibrahim also said that he was willing to bear any losses that may be incurred in the housing scheme and he would also expand the housing scheme’s model nationwide with the approval of the government if the pilot project was successful.
Source: www.nst.com.my
