News analysis

Malaysia’s housing debate takes racial turn after government plan to consult Singapore’s HDB

Perikatan Nasional politicians claim that an HDB housing model in Malaysia would entail applying Singapore’s race quotas in Malaysia, where Malays are the majority. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
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KUALA LUMPUR - Opposition politicians in Malaysia have pulled the race card over the government’s decision to consult Singapore’s Housing Board on building affordable housing, highlighting the tightrope Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is walking as he faces an almost entirely Malay-Muslim opposition.

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said in mid-January that his ministry will host contractors from the neighbouring country’s HDB in February for knowledge sharing.

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