By Voon Yih Boon
KUCHING: Eligible Sarawakians are urged to apply for houses developed by the state government.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dr Annuar Rapaee said eligible applicants include those between the ages of 18 and 65 with household income ranging from RM1,500 to RM6,000.
“For applicants over the age of 50, they are required to apply for a joint loan with their children or kin.
“However, young married couples, single parents, and single individuals above the age of 30 with no property record are also welcome to apply,” he said, adding that the price for each unit ranges from RM90,000 to RM160,000.
Dr Annuar, who is also Housing Assistant Minister, said this during a talk on housing at the PBB Southern Zone mini convention at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Sunday (Oct 25).
According to him, 5,975 out of 38,132 residential lots have been allocated under the Resettlement Scheme (SPS) and the Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) which is still available.
He added that out of the 38,132 residential lots, 26,669 have the Temporary Placement License (TOL) status, while the remaining lots are registered property.
“For residential land with TOL status, a house must be built on it. If the residential lot is found unoccupied, the head of the community has the right to report to state Land and Survey Department, and the lot given will be withdrawn and given to those who need it,” he said.
He also explained that through the state government’s initiative under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, the reduction in the premium payment rate for SPS and SPK is also set to RM2,500 per residential lot effective May 6 last year.
Meanwhile, the application for the payment of excess premium extension from the new policy was set until Dec 31 2019.
“In the past, the premium rate was 25 percent of the market price for residential purposes regardless of infrastructure costs and did not exceed RM10,000 per residential lot for and not exceeding 404 square metres. But now the premium rate is much lower.
“So far, the total premium repaid is RM40,437,842.26,” he said.
He also urged the public to familiarise themselves with relevant agencies such as the Land and Survey Department, Housing Development Corporation Sarawak (HDC), and Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) if they are planning to apply for houses developed by the government.
At the same time, he encouraged those who have difficulty in securing a bank loan in the state to instead apply to Mutiara Mortgage Credit Sdn Bhd under HDC.
