Sime Darby Property’s D3 Sustainable Homes recognised as meeting the government’s national standard for affordable housing development.

Saturday, 11 May 2019 – The Housing and Local Government Minister, Yang Berhormat Puan Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin launched the National Affordable Housing Policy (NAHP) at Elmina Central Park, Persiaran Elmina, Shah Alam. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is honoured that Sime Darby Property agreed to jointly host the launch of the NAHP by KPKT here today.

The launch of NAHP which was officiated by the Housing and Local Government Minister, Yang Berhormat Puan Hajah Zuraida Kamarudin was witnessed by the Selangor Menteri Besar, Yang Amat Berhormat Amirudin Shari and accompanied by the Deputy Works Minister, Yang Berhormat Tuan Haji Mohd Anuar bin Mohd Tahir and Sime Darby Property Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

The NAHP is a sub-policy under the National Housing Policy (2018-2025) that outlines the standards, key specifications and selling price, and is a guide for the development of liveable and safe affordable housing. The policy also defines the key features for high-rise and landed affordable housing categories such as the built-up area, quality homes standard, development technology and public amenities.

In addition to the government’s social responsibility to increase accessibility of housing to Malaysians, the new policy aims to establish a systematic, sustainable and inclusive affordable housing to the population of Malaysia.

Through the NAHP, KPKT aims to spearhead the development of liveable affordable housing for the benefit of the rakyat and establish itself as an effective regulator of the nation’s affordable housing.

Yang Berhormat Puan Hajah Zuraida binti Kamarudin said, "NAHP is bound to provide a new boost to the Government's efforts in increasing the supply of affordable housing and home ownership among the rakyat, especially for the low and middle-income groups. NAHP is a commitment by the Government in realising the concept of sustainable affordable housing in the country. This concept is aligned with NAHP's goal and vision of providing affordable and quality homes throughout the nation by 2028.

"Apart from over 5,000 affordable housing that will be developed by Sime Darby Property within the next three years, a total of 163,636 affordable homes are under construction and have been completed by various Federal and State agencies up to 30 April, 2019. Whereas, KPKT is expected to complete 37,570 affordable homes by 2019. This include 7,357 housing units under the Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR), 6,894 housing units under the Perumahan Penjawat Awam Malaysia (PPAM), 8,484 housing units under the program implemented by Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) and 14,835 housing units under PRIMA".

All initiatives in realising the affordable housing development agenda are outlined in the NAHP’s book which can be accessed through the KPKT website at www.kpkt.gov.my and Jabatan Perumahan Negara (JPN) ehome.kpkt.gov.my.

The CIS 26 of the National Housing Standard on the other hand, focuses on the sustainable affordable housing concept to achieve the goals and vision of the National Housing Policy in providing a liveable, inclusive, comprehensive and quality affordable housing.

The launch of CIS 26 is the revision of the standard from the National Housing Standard published in 1998 and 2005. The Standard sets the minimum requirements for the provision of quality housing in Malaysia and provides reference to the parties involved in the planning, designing and building of housing projects in Malaysia. This comprehensive standard aims to create a sustainable, liveable and inclusive neighbourhood for the rakyat.

The launch ceremony also saw the concept of the Divergent Dwelling Design (D3) method being implemented in the Harmoni Elmina 1 development project at the City of Elmina township, a result of a three-year collaboration between Sime Darby Property and the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) under the CIDB with the expectation of commercialising the D3 concept.

CIDB has spearheaded the development of the D3 concept for six years and provided methodologies focusing on improvements on suitability, quality, sustainability and affordability of housing developments through a combination of science, technology and innovation.

The D3 concept is an advantage for quality affordable housing in Malaysia through the usage of IBS components, which are also aligned with the objectives of the Construction Industry Transformation Program (CITP) 2016-2020 in reducing the construction period, improving quality and reducing construction costs.

Yang Berhormat Tuan Haji Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir said, “I hope the use of CIS 26 and D3 as a reference will not only enhance the efficiency in the development of affordable housing projects, but will further enhance the Malaysian construction industry as a whole.”

“Hence, I would like to encourage all parties from both the government and private sectors to continue driving similar initiatives and partnerships, in line with CITP's slogan, “Driving Construction Excellence Together”. I am confident that the level of quality and productivity of the country’s construction industry would eventually be recognised globally and enhance the quality of life for all,” he added.

Sime Darby Property is the first property developer in Malaysia to implement D3 in affordable housing developments in the country, in collaboration with the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM). Through this collaboration, this concept has been enhanced and made more sustainable for big scale construction. The country's first D3 project is the upcoming Sime Darby Property D3 Sustainable Homes to be developed in the City of Elmina.

Yang Amat Berhormat Amirudin Shari said, “ The strong collaboration between the Federal Government, the Selangor state and developer Sime Darby Property shows that all parties are working towards achieving one goal when it comes to affordable housing, that is to enhance the quality standards of affordable homes for a more liveable community in Selangor and the country.

“Sime Darby Property’s D3 Sustainable homes with Harmoni Elmina 1 launched in Elmina West, City of Elmina is a testament to their innovative commitment to building better affordable homes in the state of Selangor which provides a benchmark for all other developers to follow. This would further spur Selangor’s economic growth and a boost to the state’s aspirations.”

It is noteworthy to highlight that KKR has also recognised Sime Darby Property’s D3 Sustainable Homes under the revised CIS 26, making it a benchmark and reference for the housing industry.

Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said, “We are pleased that the Sime Darby Property D3 Sustainable Homes concept is accepted and endorsed as an affordable housing design, by both KPKT and KKR. It has the flexibility to change the way affordable homes are built throughout the country, while improving its quality. It opens up opportunities for the construction of housing on a massive scale, especially medium cost and affordable housing.”

“D3 delivers speed to market, operational efficiency, cost savings and improved quality and standards to consumers. We are confident that Sime Darby Property D3 Sustainable Homes will provide quality through a modern, accurate and sustainable building method, as accorded by the National Affordable Housing Policy and National Housing Standard,” Zeti concluded.

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government

11 May 2019

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