Nga urges Asean nations to strengthen collaboration to resolve housing trilemma

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Fadillah (centre) officially launching AREC and ARCHIDEX 2025 with Nga (third from left), Adrianta (left), Lim (right) and other officials at KLCC. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

Fadillah (centre) officially launching AREC and ARCHIDEX 2025 with Nga (third from left), Adrianta (left), Lim (right) and other officials at KLCC. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called for Asean countries to strengthen their regional collaboration to tackle the housing trilemma: Affordability, accessibility and sustainability.

“Housing trilemma haunts our urbanising landscape, with 65% of Asean citizens projected to live in cities by 2045, we're grappling with affordability crises where subsidies strain against market realities, accessibility gaps that leave rural and vulnerable communities behind and sustainability dilemmas that pit green ambitions against cost constraints.

“Real estate is no longer just about buildings, but about building futures, where every citizen, from Kuala Lumpur to rural Cambodia, finds not just shelter but dignity and opportunity,said Nga at the official launch of the Asean Real Estate Conference (AREC) and ARCHIDEX 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday (June 23).

The event was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who said the events, simultaneously held at KLCC and the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), place the nation at the heart of regional collaboration while showcasing Asean’s urban development priorities to the world.

He said AREC drives high-level policy dialogue and strategic insights from housing ministers, city leaders and developers while ARCHIDEX complements it as Asia’s leading exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge products, materials and solutions for architecture and the built environment.

Both events serve as a good platform to address challenges in the housing and real estate industry, to build a resilient, inclusive and forward-looking sector.

“We believe in innovation, not as a luxury, but as a necessity for resilience and progress. From advancing green buildings and climate-adaptive design to deploying digital land systems and prop-tech solutions, innovation must be the engine that powers our housing policies and urban strategies. It is how we make our cities smarter, our developments more efficient and our communities more livable,he said.

Nga noted the ripple effects affecting the regional real estate market, including shifts in behaviour from property ownership to rental markets and the potential rise of delayed projects due to increased costs amid geopolitical changes.

“As we explore the ideal regional housing framework, it is essential to acknowledge the diverse contexts across Asean. The socio-economic heterogeneity highlights the need for a flexible and adaptable housing model - one that aligns with our shared aspirations yet responds effectively to local realities. An ideal Asean housing model should go beyond mere infrastructure; it must focus on creating homes that provide shelter, safety and a sense of belonging,he said.

To this end, he stated the approach should be anchored in three key principles: a data-driven methodology, the 4Ps approach (Public-Private-People Partnership) and a context-driven strategy.

He also highlighted several success stories, including Malaysia’s initiatives such as the People’s Residency Programme (PRR), Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) and the PR1MA Housing Programme; Singapore’s public housing efforts to accommodate a high-density population on limited land; and China’s large-scale urban migration policies.

Nga further proposed the development of a Regional Housing Policy Lab, to research housing issues for deeper understanding and promote regular exchange of housing knowledge and innovation.

“Asean Member States can consider the development of an Asean New Urban Agenda Progress Dashboard to track affordable housing delivery and carbon reduction,he said, aligned with three NUA pillars including people-centred smart cities, climate-responsive housing and innovative financing.

The inaugural AREC 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), is targeted to attract 56,000 attendees, 1,000 companies and 500 business engagements, from over 100 countries, generating RM2bil in investment value. The events will run until July 25, 2025.

At the launch, Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Adrianta  Aziz and exhibition organiser CIS president Datuk Vincent Lim jointly said the conference saw over 150 speakers from over 15 countries sharing their experiences on the architectural profession and the innovations on the built environment.

“It is critical that we continue to upskill ourselves and expand our knowledge beyond familiar boundaries, whether embracing sustainable designs or adapting to new technologies to redefine how we shape communities. We have a responsibility to lead with purpose and foresight,they said.


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