KUALA LUMPUR: The Rural and Regional Development ministry will build 4,000 'Rumah Bina Negara" houses in the next five years for youths priced below RM50,000, says minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri.
He said this was part of an initiative under the Rural Transformation programme to empower youths in rural areas.
He said houses were now too expensive. The cheapest were priced between RM70,000 to RM80,000.
"They (the youths from rural areas) can't afford it. Some do not even have pay slips to show to the bank for loans.
He said the people could expect about 1,000 houses a year until 2020.
"This is a way to help them, and at the same time empower them," he said.
He said the ministry may work with state governments to help locate suitable areas for the project.