MINDEF Prepared To Allow Reserve Land, Shooting Ranges As Sites For SASaR Housing

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19  (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is prepared to release reserve land and former shooting ranges nationwide to be developed as sites for the “Satu Anggota Satu Rumah” (SASaR) housing programme, as part of efforts to safeguard the welfare of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the initiative was necessary as many ministry-owned lands are now surrounded by public housing developments, making their original function as shooting ranges no longer suitable.

He said that if immediate steps were not taken to change the status of the affected land, there was a risk that these assets could be taken over by other parties for alternative development purposes.

“Rather than losing these assets to other parties, and since they are intended for the ATM, it is appropriate that suitable land be converted into SASaR housing projects so that more personnel have the opportunity to own homes,” he said at the handover ceremony of SASaR Residensi Sateria, Sungai Besi, here today.

Mohamed Khaled said reserve land in Pahang and Penang, as well as two former shooting ranges, had been identified for the purpose.

Commenting on the Residensi Sateria project, he said it was the first SASaR development to be fully completed, involving 3,500 eligible recipients.

He described the project as a crucial government intervention to enable military personnel to own homes at prices significantly below market value.

“The prices offered through this project are all at affordable prices, around RM150,000 to RM250,000. Much cheaper than the market price. Without such intervention, it would be impossible for our personnel to own homes of this kind,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled added that, in addition to the Sungai Besi project, similar projects are being implemented at Wardieburn Camp and in the Setapak area.

He also assured that through Housing Blueprint 3.0, the ministry would continue to closely monitor all planned projects to ensure timely completion, in line with the aspiration of enabling ATM personnel to own homes.

“A home is where life is built, where love, family values and a sense of togetherness are nurtured. On that basis, providing housing remains one of the most important agendas of the Ministry of Defence,” he said.

-- BERNAMA