Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed concern over the slow progress of affordable housing development in Johor, saying the state must prioritise the needs of lower-income groups amid rising property prices.
Speaking at a programme held ahead of the upcoming Johor state election, he said housing costs in Johor Bahru have increased sharply, making home ownership increasingly difficult for young people and new families. He added that development planning must be improved to better reflect current economic pressures faced by the public.
Anwar questioned the pace of housing initiatives in the state, urging a stronger focus on people’s needs. He also stressed that better coordination between state and federal planning is essential to ensure development efforts are more effective and inclusive. Analysts often highlight that urban housing affordability has become a growing concern in rapidly developing regions.
The Prime Minister said the federal government is already adopting a more inclusive housing approach through programmes such as Residensi Madani, which aims to provide tens of thousands of housing units for young Malaysians and lower-income earners. Such initiatives are part of broader efforts to address the national housing gap.
In a separate matter, Anwar also indicated that a potential allowance for Form Six students is expected to be announced in Budget 2027. He said the proposal was raised by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek in Cabinet discussions, but declined to elaborate further due to election regulations under the Election Offences Act 1954.
He noted that he could not provide additional details at the Johor event, adding that any formal announcement would be made during the upcoming budget presentation. Discussions on student welfare support have been ongoing as part of efforts to strengthen access to pre-university education.
Earlier, Anwar had also said the government was studying the possibility of introducing allowances for Form Six students similar to those received by matriculation students, who currently receive RM250 monthly. The proposal comes in line with broader restructuring efforts involving pre-university education administration.
