IPOH, March 1 ― The Perak state government has urged developers in the state to allocate 5 per cent of their projects for the poor as a gesture of goodwill, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.

"It is not much. For instance for every 100 units built by them, they just allocate five units for the poor,” he said after launching a home expo at Ipoh Convention Centre here.

Zambry said private developers should give priority to the poor especially the handicapped and single mothers.

"This is not a demand but a request as the prices of properties at some areas are beyond the reach of the poor,” he said.

"The developers are free to sell the units set aside for the group to others if there are no takers,” he added that developers had the moral and social responsibility to help the poor.

The expo is a joint initiative between Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA), Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry, National Housing Department, Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad, 1Malaysia Housing Projects for Civil Servants (PPA1M) and various state agencies.

Perak is the first to host the expo which will end on March 5.

Up to 40,000 homes are up for sale during the expo.

After Perak, the expo will travel to Sabah and be held at the Sabah Trade Centre from March 15 to 19 and the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from March 24 to April 1.