ASAJAYA: The ‘Abang Jo-style’ Village Extension Scheme (SPK) implemented in Kampung Sambir here would enable the villagers to enjoy the full extent of the state government’s housing aid.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said while such a housing scheme was not new it is definitely different from the ones implemented during the terms of the previous two state chief ministers — Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
The Asajaya assemblyman said the old scheme in Samarahan was quite problematic because the land owners failed to build their houses within five years although the temporary occupation licences (TOLs) had been issued.
“Previously, those who wished to build their houses also need to ‘tembok’ (fill) their plots to the same level as the roads, but this required money.
“The government at the time was aware of this problem but due to financial constraints, there no way out.
“However, Alhamdulillah the present Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had administered the state very well which has led to an increase of revenue of up to billions of ringgit. Thus, we are able to improve our housing project,” he said when speaking at the earth-breaking ceremony of Kampung Sambir extension project at Masjid Darul As-Solihin here on Saturday (March 27).
The village extension scheme today, which is a brainchild of Abang Johari, uses a 3-in-1 concept whereby its implementation would involve three agencies, namely, state Land and Survey Development, state Housing Development Corporation and Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd.
The cost of the current scheme is fully borne by the state government. The project is being implemented with new infrastructure components and specifications.
These include upgrading the gravel road to a tar-sealed one, filled residential lots and improved drainage system from ditches to concrete drains.
There are 269 housing units under the Sambir extension scheme with each residential lot costing about RM193,000 while the construction of a house would cost about RM180,000.
However, the state government has reduced the land premium per lot to RM2,500 each, which can also be paid through instalments.
Each house would have a master bedroom, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and a balcony.
At the same time, Karim announced an allocation of RM50,000 for the Sambir Bistari Football Club and RM20,000 for the Kampung Sambir zikir/hadrah group.
He also promised to use a good sum from his Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) fund for road development throughout Asajaya including repairing alternative routes within the constituency.
Abang Johari officiated at the event that was also attended by Infrastructure and Ports Development Assistant Minister and Sebuyau assemblyman Datuk Julaihi Narawi; Batang Sadong MP Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri; Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang; Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo; state Land and Survey director Abdullah Julaihi; state Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datuk Zaidi Mahdi; Deputy State Secretary (Socio Economic Transformation) Datuk Seri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan; Samarahan Resident Ibrahim Lumpu; and Kampung Sambir’s Penghulu Mohamad Edit.
