PASIR PUTEH (Feb 3): Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YAPEIM) has allocated RM16.44 million over the past five years to fund housing assistance initiatives across the country, involving both new home construction and major repair works for underprivileged households.
According to YAPEIM director-general Zabidi Nasan, a total of 356 housing projects were approved between 2020 and December 2025. Of these, 260 projects have been completed, while the remaining 96 are currently under various stages of construction.
In Kelantan alone, YAPEIM implemented 49 housing-related projects, comprising 28 new homes and 21 repair works, with a combined allocation of RM2.4 million.
“The objective goes beyond providing shelter,” Zabidi said when speaking to Bernama during the Sinar Lestari YAPEIM handover ceremony held here. “It reflects the MADANI Government’s commitment to building a caring society and ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind.”
At the event, a newly completed house valued at RM85,284 was officially handed over to recipient Siti Rubiah Jusoh, 48. The project was made possible through collaboration with strategic partner Cagamas Berhad.
Zabidi noted that YAPEIM completed and upgraded 80 homes last year and is targeting a 10% increase in housing assistance projects this year. He added that from 1985 to November 2025, the foundation has disbursed more than RM725 million to approximately 10.1 million beneficiaries nationwide through programmes covering economic empowerment, education support, and community development initiatives.
Beyond housing, YAPEIM also plays an active role in supporting small traders and entrepreneurs through its Islamic micro-financing arm, Ar Rahnu YAPEIM, which operates 201 branches nationwide.
Between 2000 and November 2025, Ar Rahnu YAPEIM provided short-term financing to nearly one million individuals, with total financing amounting to RM14.2 million and collateral valued at RM28.6 billion.
While YAPEIM’s housing initiatives primarily target residential needs, the foundation’s broader economic development efforts contribute to stronger community stability, which in turn supports long-term demand for commercial property in KL, workforce sustainability for office space in Bukit Jalil, and economic activity linked to industrial land in Selangor. Improved access to micro-financing also benefits small operators involved in light manufacturing, workshops, and factory operations in Puchong and the industrial property market in the Subang area, where grassroots entrepreneurship forms an important part of the local ecosystem.
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