The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has rebranded the People's Housing Programme for the Poor (PPRT) to the People's Prosperity Housing Programme (PPRS). Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, stated that the rebranding aims to change the local community's perception and the mindset of the housing programme's residents.

The initiative also involves improving the PPRS house specifications to 680 square feet compared to the previous 600 square feet and introducing the rent-to-own concept for residents who intend to own the houses they live in.

Ahmad Zahid, speaking to reporters after delivering a summary of the KKDW Retreat Programme here today, said the expansion of the house size was made based on national housing policy standards and benchmarks.

"I hope this programme will be followed by other ministries involved in providing housing for the people, especially the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), state governments, state housing departments, and local authorities (PBT).

"We must make changes to this concept, not just follow the national housing policy, but also take a more comprehensive approach in changing the mindset and preferences of stakeholders involved, especially buyers and residents of low-cost houses," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said that for 2024, KKDW has allocated RM460.4 million to build 3,000 new PPRS units and repair 12,600 existing units. The Ministry also plans to build more PPRS units under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).

"For RMK12, more than 10,000 units have been built. We are planning for more in RMK13 because we know costs can be reduced, especially land purchase costs, and the cost for road infrastructure or access roads to housing areas can be shared with state governments, PBT, and government companies," he said.