The two are the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) and the 1Malaysia People’s Housing Scheme (PR1MA).
UTC is designed to serve as a one-stop centre to provide government services in major towns, while PR1MA aims to build affordable houses priced between RM100,000 and RM400,000 in key urban areas.
Muhamad Azraai Azmi, 36, said PR1MA had benefitted lower-income earners, giving as an example his younger sister who now owns a home.
Murugan, a business development manager, said PR1MA should be maintained especially for first-time house buyers and young adults, but said he hoped the new administration would have better supervision on its implementation.
“The government must be very strict in terms of ensuring buyers don’t rent out the homes for a quick buck.”
Murugan said the UTC too was a good initiative, and that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government should continue building such centres in towns outside the Klang Valley so that people could have better access to government services.
But Murugan said the cash handout programme under 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) must be revamped.
“The government should allow BR1M recipients to receive a debit card which can only be used to purchase specific essential goods.”
Banker Johnny Tan, 37, described the UTC as among Najib’s best initiatives, as it operated for long hours and provided efficient service.
His view is shared by pastry chef Debra Leong, who said more UTCs should be built.
He also said the Klinik Rakyat 1Malaysia, to provide health services for almost free, was also a good concept but needed improvement.
“I’ve read that some of them don’t have doctors and only assistant medical officers. There should be doctors, otherwise it’s better to use the money for other medical programmes.”
For public relations consultant Azizul Khair Mohd Ibrahim, the previous government’s best legacy is the MRT project.
“When you look at the number of people who use the MRT every day, you can see its impact.”
Dara Shaipudin, 28, a communications manager, said PR1MA and UTC should be maintained, but not BR1M.
“Cash handouts encourage an over-reliance on the government. Programmes which empower the people would be better.”