KUCHING: The Sarawak government wants to see the low income group have the opportunity to own affordable houses in central areas.
This is in keeping to its commitment to inclusive urban development in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said
the state wants to ensure the B40 community is able to own houses within the Kuching area.
“We do not want B40 people to stay outside of Kuching. They must be part and parcel of urban development.
“So, with that arrangement, the state can identify certain land in the developing area, whereby the houses can be owned by B40 in urban centres. In other words, the city will be mixed,” he said.
He said this during Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Annual Dinner and Excellence Awards 2024 held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on yesterday (Nov 9).
Abang Johari said the state does not want a situation where those who cannot afford need to look for houses outside of Kuching.
“Our policy is inclusivity, meaning all segments of our society, regardless of social status, should live together,” he said.
To support B40 families own homes, he said the state government has to come in to provide certain assistance.
“I have requested Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian to find out on how to assist the low income group, especially look into the Housing Deposit and Repayment Scheme (HDRAS) and to allow people to buy houses,” he said.
He added with B40 families living within urban areas, they will also have better access to education and other opportunities.
Earlier, Abang Johari also encouraged Sheda through its Sheda Institute to extend its research beyond the property market.
“This is given that there is increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) where we need to find ways and means how to improve the quality of housing,” he said, adding that construction technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) are important for the whole development of the housing project.
He also said there is a need for a common platform across public and private sectors in terms of design, data storage, development of new townships and especially how these can be linked to the major roads.
“Just an example, our Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), the routes will enable you to open up new areas, and that will bring about easy mobility for the buyers, as well as for the area that you are developing.
“In the next five to 10 years, you need what we call smart mobility. That is why the Sarawak government is now focusing on public transport for the long-term development of our towns,” said Abang Johari.
