Sarawak elections: RM50mil more in the bag for new homes

Sarawak’s very warm relations with the federal government enabled the state government to gain funds to the tune of RM50
million recently.

The money will be used to build about 600 units of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (People-Friendly Homes) state-wide.

State housing minister Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the money was in addition to the RM45 million which the state had obtained earlier to build 658 units.

He said with the new allocation, the new units would be ready within two to three years after the money is disbursed. He did not say when this would be.
“This relationship (between state and federal governments) is very important. It must be maintained at all costs and the coming 10th state election is the best time for the people to further enhance it.

“Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has been very kind and sympathetic to our needs,” he added.

Abang Johari was speaking to the press after performing the earth-breaking ceremony for the construction of another 19 units of similar houses to meet demands in Kampung Nelayan near here under its First Phase Package One Expansion Plan.
According to the state housing minister, the Barisan Nasional government was probably the only government in the world practising a friendly policy to help the lower income group buy their own houses at very affordable prices, and at the same time, give them interest-free loans.

“The government sells a unit of its affordable house at RM50,000 and its ‘People Friendly Home’ at RM79,000 each.
 

“If there are increases in the price of materials in the market, it will absorb them so as not to burden the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Abang Johari said the first longhouse in the state to incorporate a new building style to minimise fire-risk would be launched in Bakong, Miri on Wednesday.

“Rh. Chabo will have the honour of being the first longhouse to have individual titles for all its inhabitants.

“With the titles, they can buy fire-risk insurance,” he added.

It is not reported what the incidence of fires of longhouses is.

 — Bernama