PUTRAJAYA: Newly-appointed Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar will focus on the welfare of the urban poor and on resolving housing issues in the country.
Noh said the National Public Housing Management Corporation (3PAN), introduced last year, would allow the Federal government to better manage and monitor issues involving People’s Housing Projects (PPR) flats in the country.
"3PAN, which is slated to be an Act soon, will make the Federal Government's work easier especially in managing the PPRs in Selangor.
"We will continue with this work through close partnership with the local governments, even though the official authority lies with the state government but it is still related to Federal level," he said.
Noh officially took over from Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is now Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, after a handing over ceremony at the ministry today.
Also present were deputy minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, secretary-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek and Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.
On the urban poor, Noh said the ministry will introduce new projects and carry out programmes to resolve the issue while easing the burden of the people.
At the event, Rahman said he began his career as a minister with zero knowledge and as a junior politician, but left for the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) wiser and more experienced.
The three years at the ministry, he said, were intense but he credited the staff as well as management for helping him to get things done for the people.
He said the ministry was in capable and safe hands with Noh.
Rahman was also accorded the Fire and Rescue Department’s highest honour for his support and work with the department.