Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has reported spending RM27.66 million out of the RM28.05 million allocated for the rehabilitation of abandoned private housing projects in 2023.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu announced that for the year 2026, a total of RM25.84 million has been earmarked for KPKT to address nine abandoned private housing projects. These rehabilitation efforts are expected to take between one to five years, contingent on the complexity of each project. The implementation will involve the appointment of state housing boards and consultants to ensure the projects reach completion and compliance certification.

Key criteria for utilizing government funds in these projects include housing priced at RM300,000 and below, with more than 50 percent of units already purchased and the physical progress exceeding 70 percent.

In addition to housing projects, efforts to strengthen the Volunteer Fire Brigade (PBS) are underway. Aiman Athirah highlighted that KPKT, through the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, is enhancing support for PBS by increasing the financial assistance grant from RM3,000 to RM5,000 for each active unit this year. Furthermore, RM3 million has been allocated for station repairs and maintenance, with RM627,000 designated for personal protective equipment. The distribution of 50 vehicles is planned from 2024 to 2026.

Looking ahead, an additional RM2.1 million has been approved for next year to bolster PBS operations, including equipment purchases, supplies, and training initiatives. The Dewan Rakyat has approved KPKT’s operating and development expenditure of RM6,088,856,500 for Budget 2026, with majority support.