TAWAU, Oct 9 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming urged Semporna Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to ensure Semporna does not become the dirtiest town in Asia.
“Next year is Visit Malaysia 2026, so with all due respect, I would like to ask the Semporna MP to be diligent in going down to the field. It is understood that he has been there for over 30 years, and it is his responsibility to monitor the town’s cleanliness,” he said when asked about the cleanliness issue in Semporna.
Previously, the issue of cleanliness in Semporna had gone viral on several social media accounts of foreign tourists.
“I also watched that TikTok video. The responsibility of maintaining the city’s image does not lie solely with the Federal Government but also with the local representatives,” he said at a media conference for the KPKT Sentuhan Kasih Tour series here on Wednesday.
The minister emphasized that cooperation from all parties, including local governments and the community, is crucial to preserving Semporna’s image as a premier tourism destination.
Nga also said the People’s Housing Program (PPR) has been upgraded to the People’s Residence Program (PRR) as part of the national public housing reform plan under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
He stated that this move will introduce more modern and comfortable residential concepts to the people.
He said this aligns with international recognition of Malaysia as one of the world’s leading proponents of the best affordable housing projects.
“It is a pleasure to announce that Malaysia has won the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence gold medal for two consecutive years in the category of the world’s best affordable housing.
“After Kuala Lumpur and Penang, we also plan to implement world-class PRR projects in Sabah,” he said.
Nga said Sabah currently records the highest number of PPR projects nationwide, with 39 projects implemented since the Eighth Malaysia Plan (RMK8).
Furthermore, he mentioned that the 25-year-old abandoned project at PRR Putera Kiansom in Sabah, which started in 2000, was finally completed by the government this year.
“This demonstrates the commitment of the MADANI Government in ensuring that every long-delayed people’s housing project is resolved,” he said.
Nga also emphasized that future national public housing planning will prioritize the construction of modern homes and community-friendly facilities, in line with the higher quality and sustainable approach of the PRR. — The Borneo Post
