KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has approved 84 projects under the Resettlement Scheme (SPS) and Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) through allocations under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said these projects will provide a total of 8,564 residential lots, with implementation costs estimated at RM1.581 billion.

“Of the 84 projects, 28 have been fully completed according to their development scope, while the remaining 54 will continue until the end of the 12MP and into the 13MP.

“Meanwhile, two other projects faced objections on the ground and could not be implemented,” he said during the winding-up session for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak (MUDeNR) at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Monday.

He added that the Sarawak Government has also improved the policy by introducing new infrastructure specifications which include paved roads, concrete drains, embanked lots as well as reticulated water supply and electricity systems, with an average cost of RM150,000 per lot.

“In light of the Sarawak Government’s concern for the people, the land premium for each lot has been capped at not more than RM2,500, with payment allowed via annual instalments of up to 10 years,” he added.

He also said that the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) is implementing affordable housing projects under SPK, Rural Growth Centres (RGC) and Bandar Baru Sebuyau.

“To date, a total of 1,253 affordable housing units have been approved and are currently at various stages of planning and implementation,” he said. -UKASnews