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Kuala Lumpur: The Government’s plans to ensure access to quality, affordable and inclusive housing under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) must be implemented comprehensively in both urban and rural areas, according to Senator Abun Sui Anyit.

He said initiatives such as the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Rent-to-Own (RTO) Scheme, which will be expanded, should benefit residents in remote areas, Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the 13MP, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Negara Monday, places strong emphasis on housing and ongoing construction projects.

“I propose that the federal government strengthen collaboration with state governments, as it involves grants and land. State governments should be more proactive in providing housing for residents in remote areas, especially in Sabah and Sarawak,” he told reporters here Monday.

When tabling the 13MP in the Dewan Negara, the Prime Minister said the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme and RTO Scheme would be expanded to enable more people, including those in the low- and middle-income groups, to own their own homes.

Meanwhile, Senator Datuk Edward Linggu Bukut said efforts to ensure fair income for the people, to be implemented through the review of the minimum wage, the progressive wage policy and the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), would enhance commitment in carrying out duties.

“This is a continuous process that provides incentives and motivation to civil servants. Improving incentive benefits will strengthen individual commitment, ultimately benefiting the government and making public sector management more effective,” he said.

He added that such efforts should not stop but instead be further enhanced with other incentives to provide encouragement and motivation for civil servants, private sector employees and others.

Senator Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the 13MP is a document that places importance on public welfare through economic sustainability, people’s well-being and environmental conservation.

“I believe that with strong government efforts and cooperation from private companies and others, InsyaAllah, the aspirations and plans set out in the 13MP will be achieved,” he said.

Salehuddin said reforms in the public service could also be carried out by strengthening and improving governance and the integrity of civil servants.

“We understand that in these very challenging times, the people want to see all issues concerning government-people relations resolved quickly, without leakages or bureaucratic hurdles that burden the rakyat.

“The government must address this by enhancing integrity and governance so that it can drive success for society and the people as a whole, allowing them to truly appreciate what the government is trying to implement under the 13MP,” he said.