KEPONG, June 23 — Owners of affordable homes in Kuala Lumpur will receive a 25 per cent rebate for their 2023 assessment rates, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Anwar said the reduction will cover the second half of the 2023 assessment year.

“I’ve heard all your complaints and I’m also aware of the rising costs of living, especially in the capital city.

“Many of you asked me for a reduction, so, in the end we agreed, and beginning from the second half of the year, we are giving a 25 per cent reduction for all homes built after 2014,” he said during a meet-and-greet session with residents of the civil service housing project (PPAM) here.

He said 25,677 homes owners would benefit from the move that will cost the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) approximately RM2 million.

“I hope with this, those who have outstanding bills will be able to clear them and allow DBKL to conduct their work properly,” he added.

Apart from that, Anwar announced Madani Neighbourhood developments in the city to cater to the hardcore poor, B40, and M40.

These would combine the Residensi Prihatin scheme that offers around 800sq-ft at a maximum price of RM200,000 to households earning under RM7,000 monthly and the new Residensi Prihatin Madani with 750sq-ft homes for RM180,000 to households with incomes of no more than RM5,000 a month.

The Residensi Sejahtera Madani will also be introduced to allow fresh graduates and those aged between 21 and 30 years’ old access to 700sq-ft homes for RM150,000.

“We will also offer rental schemes for those in the M40 and B40 category. Our Rumah Majlis Madani will charge rental of RM600 for a 700sq-ft home.

“Whereas our Pembangunan Rumah Ihsan Madani is for the hardcore poor. They need only pay RM300 per month for a 700sq-ft home with three rooms,” Anwar said.

However, these homes would not be allowed onto the subsale market, and must be sold back to DBKL.

Anwar explained that this was to preserve the government’s efforts to ensure equitable access to housing for current and future generations.

“Any sales can only be made to DBKL,” he added.