KUCHING: The Permy 3 housing scheme project in Miri should proceed, if Miri MP Dr Michael Teo is so ambitious and vows to build at least 8,000 units of houses for the city, said Assistant Minister for Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee.
Annuar disclosed this during a press conference held yesterday at the State Legislative Assembly complex here in Petra Jaya.
Also present with him during the press conference was Piasau state assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting.
According to Annuar, the Permy 3 project had been approved by the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA) on 10 November 2016.
However, due to no funding at the federal level (Ministry of Housing and Local Government) the project was discontinued.
“We (the State Ministry for Housing for and Public Health) have submitted bidding for the project but was rejected a number of times,”he pointed.
The area for the project covers about 800 acres.
“The project should proceed if Dr Teo said he is trying to build 8,000 houses; well this is the right place (referring to Permy 3 in Miri), it does not matter who is going to bring and bid for the project,” he said.
“No need to find other pieces of land; this land is suitable and it is the best place,” he said.
Permy 3 project consists of 278 units single storey affordable houses; 549 units single storey standard houses; 105 units three-storey shop houses; one block six-storey shopping complex and office building; two units of two- storey showroom building and one unit of hypermarket.
Meanwhile, Ting said they (the State government) are definitely planning for more affordable houses in Miri, as part of their focus to help solve the problems involving squatters.
“To me, housing is important …in terms of squatters in Miri we have a lot of them. Miri has the biggest number of squatters in Sarawak,” he said.
He further added, over two years they have resettled more than 1,000 squatters and we still have 2,000 of them,” he said.
Affordable housing will help solve the issue (squatters).
On issues regarding dilapidated schools, in Sarawak, Annuar said, that they are ready to cooperate with the Federal government (Education Ministry).
“Lets put a stop to arguing on the matter,” he said.
“We want to work together on dilapidated schools with the Federal government; no need to prolong debating on the issue, enough is enough,” he said.
