Kuala lumpur: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has urged the Johor state government to promptly submit a formal proposal for the construction of Johor Affordable Homes (RMMJ) on federal land in Kempas. He emphasized the need for the proposal by the first quarter of next year to ensure a smooth process, following his ministry's prior commitment to review the state's development proposal for the land.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly expressed confidence in the capabilities of State Health and Environment Committee chairman, Ling Tian Soon, to expedite the proposal's submission, anticipating it within the first three months of 2026. He made these remarks at a press conference after visiting Permai Hospital.
Dr Dzulkefly stated that the necessity for this proposal arose after the state government submitted a formal application to the ministry on December 4. Earlier, he and Ling engaged in discussions with relevant agencies, including the housing division, State Land and Mines Office, and State Economic Planning Division, to address the matter.
He elaborated that the application concerns a plot of around 58.67 hectares, although specific details and development plans are yet to be finalized. This initiative follows his earlier pledge after Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi identified government-owned land in Kempas under the Ministry of Health's purview as a suitable development site.
Separately, Dr Dzulkefly praised the Johor government and stakeholders for converting Mount Austin's former Nanyang Market into the Sultan Ismail Health Clinic's Maternal and Child Health Unit. He highlighted the creation of a comfortable and spacious environment expected to alleviate congestion by about 30 percent.
Ling had previously indicated that the Johor government and State Health Department opted for this pilot project to address overcrowding in health clinics. The state government committed to a 10-year lease costing RM2.4 million, with additional expenses of RM1.08 million for upgrades and RM760,000 for equipment.