Sarawak govt mulls housing estate project
KUCHING: The state government will consider building affordable houses for civil servants.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this will happen once the state government has identified several places for its housing projects.
“We (state government) will cooperate with several organisations including, the Congress of the Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).
“We will get from such organisations the lists of those qualified to buy houses and we will discuss the matter further so that we can prioritise the ones who are the most needy,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening of Cuepacs Sarawak office at Jalan Bamfylde here, yesterday.
As an example, Abang Johari said one of the potential places for development of a housing estate for civil servants is Kemuyang area in Sibu.
On the potential areas in Kuching, he said, “We see first … because we are opening up more new areas. Where roads have been built, we will develop housing areas.”
Asked how soon the project would be implemented, he said, “Wait first. It is still being planned. There’s no need to hurry.”
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari revealed several road projects to facilitate the movement of people.
“One of the roads to be built will link Samarahan to Kpg Tanjung Bako, Sungai Pinggan. From there, we will build a bridge to the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and the road from there on will lead to Petra Jaya.
“This means we will be able to open up new areas and develop housing estates. Give it about three to four years because the new bridge is currently in its preliminary design phase,” he said.
He also stated that with the completion of Rambungan Bridge later, areas between Petra Jaya and the bridge would have the potential to be developed.
“With good roads, we will be able to develop housing areas in the suburbs of Kuching,” he said.
Cuepacs Sarawak’s new office was given by the state government last year with almost RM500,000 for the cost of establishment.
Abang Johari also announced that the state government would also fund electricity and water connection costs in support of the office’s operations.
Also present at the office’s opening ceremony were Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda, Sarawak Cuepacs president Ahmad Malie, State Federal Secretary Mohd Shahabuddin Omar and State Union Affairs Department director Kamarulzaman Muhid.
