In Malaysia concern for provision of housing for the poor dated back to the
pre-independence period. In 1947, the Select Committee of the Malayan Union
Advisory Council had recommended the government to be involved in housing
provision for the poor, or for low-income groups who were renting but could not
afford the rental charged (cited in Jagatheesan1, 979)2. There was also a suggestion for
allocation of suitable land for people building their own housing.