Island attraction: Najib waving while walking on the boardwalk which connects Kampung Tekek and Kampung Air Batang on Pulau Tioman. — Bernama

ROMPIN : The Government places priority on the people’s quality of life and a way to fulfill this is through affordable housing, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said the Government had been putting in extra effort to build houses for the people mainly through the subsidised People’s Housing Project.

Najib said the Tekek Makmur project in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, was among the costliest in the history of the project, an example of the Government’s social agenda of housing for the people.

The Government subsidised 92% of the total cost of the project, with buyers each paying only RM35,000 for the 116 units.

“We have also agreed to the proposal for 63 buyers to own the houses in a hire-purchase plan. This is a special gift for the people of Tioman,” Najib said at the launch of the project in Pulau Tioman yesterday.

Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, state secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail, Rompin MP Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin and Tioman assemblyman Datuk Mohd Johari Hussain.

Later at a Hari Raya open house in Dataran Tiong, Najib said the shelved new airport project, originally proposed in 2009, would be revised.

He said consultants would be appointed to study the proposed airport in Kampung Genting.

Najib said it was high time for Pulau Tioman, as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, to become more attractive to tourists.

“Pulau Tioman can receive more tourists if it develops more attractions.

“The islanders will also enjoy the economic benefits.

“The island needs a game changer in its development and the NGOs have to stop criticising the airport project. We will ensure the environmental impact of the project is seriously looked into,” he said.

Earlier, Najib visited the new boardwalk connecting Kampung Tekek and Kampung Air Batang.

He said it was an effort by the Government to ease access for islanders and tourists.

The boardwalk project, which was a joint effort of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council and the Tioman Development Authority, costs RM1.6mil.