Seberang jaya: The Rumah Bakat MADANI initiative, Malaysia’s largest affordable housing project to date, symbolises the strong commitment and leadership of the Prime Minister in prioritising the wellbeing of the people and improving access to home ownership. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that the project will deliver 37,368 housing units, with 6,368 units planned for Seberang Jaya and 31,000 in Batu Kawan. The project is being developed by SkyWorld as the implementing company.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), the government set a target of delivering 500,000 affordable housing units by 2025. As of March 31, a total of 492,360 units have been provided, achieving 98.5 percent of the target. Of the total, 179,769 units have been completed, 235,862 are under construction, and 76,729 are in the planning stage.

The announcement was made at the groundbreaking and launch ceremony of Rumah Bakat MADANI at Seberang Jaya, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Nga highlighted that the project will feature 900-square-foot freehold condominiums, priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000.

Each unit will come with modern facilities and access to shared amenities such as a swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts, multipurpose hall, surau, kindergarten, food stalls, a children’s playground, a Central Park, and a Vertical School. As part of upcoming reforms under the RMK-13, the Housing and Local Government Ministry and SkyWorld agreed to implement three key features, including a 10-year construction warranty covering water leakage and plumbing, a fixed maintenance fee of RM0.18 per square foot (equivalent to RM162 per month), and a targeted QLASSIC construction quality score of 85 percent.

Additionally, clubhouse facilities like the gym, pool, and sports courts will operate on a pay-per-use basis. Nga emphasized that the initiative aims to assist first-time homebuyers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups, in securing quality housing at an affordable price.