Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for a permanent housing scheme designed to address the long-standing resettlement concerns of Bukit Kiara Longhouse residents in Kuala Lumpur. The project marks a significant milestone for a community that has grappled with housing insecurity for over 40 years.
Under the new initiative, all qualifying families will be provided with two residential units free of charge, a move that will substantially improve living conditions for the urban poor population affected by the issue. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who represents the Sungai Buloh constituency, praised the initiative as evidence of the administration's resolve to prevent prolonged social problems from affecting future generations.
Ramanan emphasised that the Prime Minister's decision represents a firm commitment to expediting justice for affected residents rather than allowing bureaucratic delays to persist. He noted that while the housing project itself may appear modest in scale, its transformative effect on families who have endured years of uncertainty cannot be overstated.
The government has additionally earmarked RM1 million in fresh funding to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to support area maintenance over the next three years. This complementary investment demonstrates a comprehensive approach to addressing both immediate housing needs and longer-term community development.
The resolution came after residents' legal representatives pursued the matter since 2018, ultimately achieving an outcome that balances housing provision with environmental preservation. Earlier proposals that threatened Taman Rimba Kiara were abandoned in favour of this more sustainable arrangement, reflecting a deliberate choice to prioritise both social welfare and ecological conservation.
