Abang Johari (third right) handing over an agreement letter to a recipient at the ceremony in Taman Mesra Bako, witnessed by (from right) Dr Abang Rauf, Abdul Karim, Dr Hazland and Abang Wahap (left).
KUCHING: Owners of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) in Taman Mesra Bako are over the moon upon receiving the news of reduction up to 70 per cent in monthly payment.
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced that the lower monthly payment and loan cost per unit was due to the cancellation of costs in backpiling and piling works.
“They amount to RM3,383,200 and would be fully borne by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC),” he told 165 RMR owners during an appreciation ceremony at Taman Mesra Bako yesterday.
Specifically, Abang Johari said the owner of the estate’s largest lot, No 824, would only need to fork out RM153.28 monthly against RM447.49 previously, while holder of the smallest lot, No 747, would only need to pay RM122.15 monthly versus RM234.54 previously – all in all a reduction of almost 50 per cent.
“The loan cost per unit has also been reduced; for the largest lot of 1,049.8 square metres, the owner only needs to pay back a loan of RM40,822 compared to RM66,454 previously. This is a reduction of RM25,632,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, also said the successful and structured development of RMR in Bako had set an example for states in Peninsular Malaysia such as Melaka and Terengganu.
“Although this programme began in Peninsular Malaysia, we have adapted it to the needs of the locals and made it more structured. Now, we become an example for them.”
He added that his ministry aimed to develop 63 more RMR units as well as 615 affordable houses in Muara Tuang next year towards realising a modern village known as ‘Bako Peninsula’.
‘The development of Bako Peninsula as a modern village will connect Bako with Muara Tuang in 10 years. This is a long-term plan that we wish to carry out here to give the community more space, especially since the population in Kuching is increasing,” he said, adding that the current population in the state capital and Samarahan of 850,000, could reach one million ‘in no time’.
As such, Abang Johari said the government realised the need for more detailed planning in developing residential areas, as they would benefit the people not only in terms of housing, but also in workforce development.
Earlier, Taman Mesra Bako representative Dollah Harun – also the event organising chairman – expressed their gratitude to the government.
“The reduction in monthly payment is a big gesture for us, and we cannot express our thanks enough.”
Also present were Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and HDC chairman Datuk Dr Abang Rauf Abang Zen.