KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): Oriental Interest Bhd (KL:OIB) launched its latest affordable housing project named Putra Idaman at Desa Pinggiran Putra on Saturday (Sept 28), in collaboration with Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), through its subsidiary PNSB Construction Sdn Bhd. It also unveiled another upcoming affordable housing project with over 800 units, named Saujana Idaman in Selangor. 

Commenting on the launch, OIB executive director and chief executive officer (CEO) Low Kok Shen said in a statement, “OIB currently has over RM1 billion of affordable housing properties in the pipeline, under schemes such as Rumah Idaman and Rumah Selangorku, with Putra Idaman being the first of many projects under the Rumah Idaman initiative.

“We believe affordable housing in Malaysia is not just an economic issue, it’s a societal imperative. Property developers have a vital role in shaping a future where homeownership is accessible to all.” 

Putra Idaman spans 6.7 acres and has a gross development value of RM125.5 million. Targeted for completion in 2028, the project will feature two apartment blocks, offering a total of 502 units that come in a built-up of 1,002 sq ft, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Priced at RM250,000, the statement said these homes are designed for low- to middle-income families.

Each unit will be semi-furnished with wardrobes, air conditioners, water heaters, a television with cabinet, kitchen cabinets, and a refrigerator. There will also be two parking spaces allocated to each unit. 

The developer also held a groundbreaking ceremony for Saujana Idaman, with further details forthcoming.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who officiated the launch and groundbreaking ceremony, remarked, “I am confident that the success of projects like Putra Idaman, Saujana Idaman and other Rumah Idaman Menteri Besar Inc (MBI) developments, which offer affordable prices and location with good accessibilities, will greatly improve the quality of life for Selangor’s residents. These initiatives also present an appealing opportunity for our youth to become first-time homeowners”.

Representing PNSB, its CEO Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar Raja Salim said, “The launch of Rumah Idaman Putra Idaman is the second project launch for 2024, as scheduled by PNSB. The Rumah Idaman Putra Idaman and Saujana Idaman projects are two joint venture projects with OIB, with an estimated total of 1,360 units out of the 5,783 units planned for the Rumah Idaman development in the Sepang district. [These] development[s] will undoubtedly add value to Mukim Dengkil”.

Low said affordable housing projects like Putra Idaman and Saujana Idaman are vital to support inclusivity and sustainability in the growing townships of Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Dengkil, which have shown population growth rates almost three times the national average, according to Malaysia’s 2020 population census.

Rumah Idaman is a Selangor government initiative to address the rising demand for affordable homes in strategically located urban centres. The initiative offers units tailored for B40 and M40 Malaysians, particularly first-time homebuyers and small families seeking a foothold in the property market.