People’s Housing Scheme ownership to be re-evaluated

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Dr Annuar (third left) symbolically presents a key to a new homeowner. From left are Dr Abang Rauf, Abdul Rahim, Ripin, and Bakrie.

MIRI: Home ownership criteria for the People’s Housing Scheme (PPR) will be re-evaluated to meet the demand of lower income applicants.

Prior to handing over keys to 150 PPR Lambir homeowners yesterday, Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee said the houses, priced from RM50,000, were for those with a gross monthly household income of below RM3,000.

“I know some applicants did not fulfil the criteria as there were those with more than the required income so their applications were rejected.

“There are people asking for the criteria to be revised according to the suitability and applicability of the applicant, so that everyone is able to own a home, but basically, those with gross (monthly) household income below RM3,000 will be given priority,” he explained, calling on the federal government to channel more funds from time to time to build more low cost homes in the state.

The 37-acre, RM90 million PPR Lambir Sungai Rait project involves 505 units of terraced houses with a size of 700 square feet, and has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“Everyone dreams of owning a comfortable home for the family, but due to the rising house prices, not everyone can afford it. Therefore the government has undertaken various efforts in ensuring that everybody is able to have their own house,” said National Housing Department director Datuk Abdul Rahim Ishak.

“Congratulations to all the recipients today and I would like to remind the prospective residents to safeguard the facilities provided to ensure that the facilities can be used for a long time and to always maintain the harmony in the community of this PPR.”

He said nationwide, 118 PPR projects involving 83,380 houses costing RM6 billion have been completed since 2001, benefitting over 300,000 people.

Six projects consisting of 3,521 units have been completed in the state – PPR Sri Wangi, Kuching (200 units); PPR Mile 5, Kuching (816 units); PPR Kampung Batu Gong, Siburan (500 units); PPR Seduan Fasa 1, Sibu (500 units); PPR Kemena (1,000 units); and PPR Lambir (505 units).

Five more on-going PPR projects in Sarawak are PPR Sungai Tengah, Kuching (439 units); PPR Samarahan (180 units), PPR Tabuan Melayu, Kuching (181 units), PPR Petra Jaya, Kuching (208 units); and PPR Landeh, Kuching (443 units).

Among  those present at the event were Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat, HDC chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen, Ministry of Local Government and Housing permanent secretary Bakrie Zaini, and HDC chief executive officer Mohamad Asman Ahmad.