THE government must ensure that a scheme to give 20% of low-cost housing to political figures as a ‘reward’ in Johor remains abolished, Khalid Samad (Shah Alam-PH) told Parliament today.

Khalid said the Skim Kuota Menegak Kerajaan (SKMK) was abolished by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018.

However, during the recent Johor elections, former menteri besar Hasni Mohammad promised that if Barisan Nasional won the polls, it would revive the scheme.

He said these houses were rewards for those who remain loyal to the coalition.

BN was able to form a supermajority in Johor, sweeping 40 of 56 seats in the assembly.

The Shah Alam MP demanded that the federal government intervene and put a stop to the restoration of the ‘loyalty’ scheme.

“I ask the government to give assurance that such perverse policies will not be implemented or supported,” he said during a question-and-answer session with Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Ismail Abdul Muttalib.

“What is the minister’s view on such a policy and whether the government is willing to guarantee that such abuse of power where the distribution of low-cost housing is given through political parties will be ended thoroughly and completely?” he said.

Ismail said as far as he has been at the ministry, there has not been such a policy where a percentage of low-cost housing is allocated for political parties.

“If you look at the distribution of low-cost housing, you will see that we have never chosen individuals based on their political background, religion or culture,” he said.

“We only supply these houses to those who are qualified like those in the B40 group and others. We will allow them to own a house based on their ability,” he said.

“The ministry does not have a policy like the one you mentioned and does not choose based on one’s political party,” he said. – March 23, 2022.