January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The government is set to introduce a single national housing agency and a revamped rent-to-own (RTO) model as part of major housing reforms under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), aimed at improving access to affordable housing and easing the cost of living.
According to the 13MP document released by the Ministry of Economy today, housing reform is a core focus of the plan, with efforts directed toward ensuring more Malaysians have access to quality, liveable, and inclusive homes.
Key reforms include boosting the supply of sustainable housing, broadening access to financing, and enhancing regulatory and management efficiency across the housing sector.
“A national single housing agency will be formed by consolidating existing federal housing agencies to better plan, coordinate, and deliver affordable housing,” the document stated.
Additionally, a new RTO model will be introduced to provide a more flexible and affordable pathway to homeownership. The government is also exploring the creation of a housing consortium to manage the RTO scheme more effectively and sustainably.
The plan outlines three main strategies for implementation: increasing the supply of quality and inclusive housing, supporting homeownership for targeted groups, and improving housing regulation and governance.
These improvements will involve better planning, governance restructuring, use of efficient construction methods, and optimal allocation of resources. Existing financing schemes for affordable housing will be enhanced through tiered interest rates and revised terms to help more first-time buyers enter the property market.
The document also announced a long-term financing or rental option for senior citizens, in preparation for Malaysia’s ageing population. A new Residential Tenancy Act is also being proposed to safeguard the rights of both tenants and landlords.
As of March 2025, 179,769 affordable housing units have been completed — 36 per cent of the 500,000-unit target under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) — while another 312,591 units are approved and under construction.
By December 31, 2024, housing loans worth RM17.86 billion had been approved under the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, benefiting 76,664 borrowers.
When presenting the 13MP in Parliament, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the government’s goal of building one million affordable homes between 2026 and 2035, working in partnership with state governments and private developers.
The document also highlighted the rebranding of the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) to the Residensi Rakyat Programme (PRR) in August 2024, as part of efforts under 12MP to enhance design, features, and overall liveability.
Additionally, a maintenance initiative for low- and medium-cost stratified housing, including elevator upgrades, has benefited over 150,000 residents across 46,365 units. — Bernama
