A new “pay-per-use” system for shared facility maintenance is being studied for future affordable housing developments, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week (KLAW) 2025, Nga said the initiative is part of broader housing reforms aimed at improving equity in public housing. Under the proposed system, residents will use access cards to track their usage of shared facilities—such as pools, gyms, and courts—and be charged based on actual usage rather than a fixed monthly maintenance fee.

The concept is being piloted at Rumah Bakat Madani in Penang – SkyWorld Pearlmont. The project features a clubhouse with an infinity pool, pickleball and badminton courts, a gym, and a children’s playground. Nga said this model will serve as a reference for future public housing projects and may also incorporate vertical schools to improve educational access for low-income communities.

“The goal is to raise industry standards and create a more equitable housing landscape,” Nga said.

The Rumah Bakat Madani initiative is the country’s largest affordable housing project to date, offering 900-square-foot freehold condominiums equipped with modern amenities and shared facilities.

Nga also highlighted the ministry’s aim to involve more private players in setting up Industrialised Building System (IBS) facilities to accelerate the adoption of modular construction methods such as Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction. This move supports sustainable urban growth by reducing waste and limiting pollution.

KLAW 2025, held as a curtain-raiser for the ASEAN Real Estate Conference and the 24th International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition, is expected to attract over 50,000 international visitors and generate RM2 billion in transactions.