Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched phase one of the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) which involves the construction of 42,000 houses on 20 strategic sites.

He said eight projects were expected to commence this year and in 2012 on the 20 sites which had been identified in the Klang Valley, Rawang and Seremban.

He said PR1MA was specifically for moderate-income Malaysians earning not more than RM6,000 monthly regardless whether they work with the government, the private sector or self-employed.

"The government is aware of difficulties faced by the moderate-income group who cannot afford to purchase high-priced houses but at the same time not eligible to be considered for the existing low-cost public housing programme.

"The implementation of PR1MA will be of help towards achieving the National Housing Policy's objective to provide sufficient, comfortable, quality and affordable housing," he said when launching PR1MA's first site at Presint 11, Putrajaya. - Bernama