PR1MA has given contracts worth RM15b to Bumi firms: Najib

PUTRAJAYA: The 1Malaysia People's Housing Scheme (PR1MA) has awarded contracts worth RM15 billion to 574 bumiputra firms to date.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the contracts were awarded for various construction and consultation jobs, and other support services in PR1MA's development projects nationwide.
Najib said PR1MA's objective is not only to provide affordable houses to the public but to strengthen the bumiputra economic eco-system.
He said currently, 61 PR1MA projects involving the building of 53,062 housing units are being developed on Malay reserve land.
Najib, who is also finance minister, stressed that the idea of establishing PR1MA was not merely to build houses, but to ensure that houses owned by the people are of high quality and built at lower than the market price.
Citing an example, Najib said the houses at the PR1MA project in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, cost RM235,000 per unit while houses in the vicinity went for RM295,000, a difference of RM60,000.
"This is the best example of the success of PR1MA. Many can afford to own a home because of PR1MA projects," he said at a Rakan Bumiputra PR1MA programme at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
Najib also gave an assurance that the bumiputra agenda would remain a significant part of the PR1MA programme.
"To ensure that the PR1MA is sustainable the government has approved RM3.9 billion in allocation for the projects," said Najib, adding that the government is committed to build 50,000 housing units through the programme.
"But all of this cannot be made in a blink of an eye; it will take some time to build houses. But believe me when the time comes, out target will be achieved," Najib added.
Meanwhile, PR1MA chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias said more than 1.47 million Malaysians have applied for PR1MA homes nationwide, of which 166,972 were successful.
He said currently, PR1MA had sold 9,791 units, with sales value estimated at RM2.36 billion.
"Out of the number, 61% has been allocated to bumiputra individuals. Our sales target is about 1,000 a month, but we hope that the number can grow," he added.