Penaga: The Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YaPEIM) has announced its plan to build 50 homes for underprivileged families this year, with a budget allocation of RM4 million under the Sinar Lestari YaPEIM initiative. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar revealed the details of this initiative, which aims to provide safer and more comfortable housing for the B40 group and those listed under the e-Kasih database. Each housing unit is projected to cost approximately RM80,000 and will be constructed in collaboration with strategic partners.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sinar Lestari YaPEIM initiative, launched in 2020, has already allocated RM13.5 million for 293 construction and renovation projects nationwide as of June this year. These efforts include 167 renovation projects and 126 new construction projects, with 225 of these projects completed and 68 still underway. In Penang specifically, YaPEIM has undertaken nine projects-comprising five new builds and four renovations-amounting to RM460,000.
Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im made these remarks while officiating the Sinar Lestari YaPEIM programme in Penaga, where three families received assistance to build new homes. He emphasized that the initiative not only focuses on providing comfortable homes but also signifies the MADANI Government's dedication to fostering a caring society and ensuring that no underprivileged group is neglected.
One of the beneficiaries, Tahir Suhid, 55, expressed his gratitude and happiness upon receiving the housing aid. Tahir and his family had been renting a home on Jalan Pasir Gebu for over 15 years due to financial constraints. Having previously worked as a fisherman, Tahir has not been to sea for over two years and now assists his wife, Norlia Aziz, who runs a small business. He explained that he had initially purchased a plot of land through an installment plan before applying for YaPEIM's assistance to construct a house on it.
"Our family is truly grateful to YaPEIM for this support. This house means a great deal to me, my wife, and our five children, aged between six and 25. Three of them are still in school," Tahir said, reflecting the significant impact of YaPEIM's initiative on his family's life.