PM Anwar proposes law changes to build affordable housing directly on public transport hubs
Malaysia is considering legal amendments to allow public housing projects to be built directly above or beside public transport stations, aiming to reduce private vehicle use and foster sustainable urban lifestyles.
Strategic Housing Meets Smart Mobility
Speaking at the Malaysia MADANI Scholars’ Forum Series 6 on June 4, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim introduced a proposal to integrate public housing projects with public transport infrastructure. He cited the Kota MADANI initiative as a model, emphasizing vertical development and the co-location of housing with basic amenities.
Anwar stressed that such developments could provide more strategic housing options for low-income communities, reduce congestion, and support a more organised, sustainable urban lifestyle.
Law Reforms on the Table
Anwar revealed that the proposed housing-above-station concept would require legal reforms, which are now being discussed at the Cabinet level. While the idea has been floated in the past, progress has been limited due to legislative and planning hurdles.
A New Urban Paradigm
Transport Minister Anthony Loke echoed Anwar’s vision, calling it a paradigm shift in urban development. Loke emphasized the need for policy alignment with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to issue new guidelines that support housing near train, MRT, or LRT stations.
This includes rethinking urban planning norms—such as reducing parking requirements—to reflect the increased accessibility offered by public transport proximity.
Forums That Shape Policy
The forum, hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), also showcased the government’s openness to dialogue. Anwar noted that diverse voices—from academics to the opposition—were welcomed, with the goal of refining policy direction through constructive input.
Shifting Toward Integrated Urban Futures
Malaysia’s vision for integrated housing and mobility marks a significant step toward transit-oriented development (TOD), a model proven effective in global cities. If successful, it may reshape urban Malaysia into a greener, denser, and more equitable environment, reducing reliance on private cars and cutting urban sprawl.
Anwar’s proposal represents a bold shift toward a more integrated, accessible, and sustainable urban Malaysia. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, it sets a precedent for how Southeast Asia might reinvent urban living—by rethinking the relationship between where people live and how they move.
Sources: Malay Mail (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: Anwar Ibrahim Proposal, Malaysia Housing Transport, Vertical Housing Malaysia, Transit-Oriented Development, Kota MADANI Project, Car-Free Urban Living
