KUCHING: The agenda to expand home ownership remains a key focus of the Sarawak Government, with 1,052 new affordable housing units set to be constructed across the state next year through 12 projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said the projects would involve the areas of Kuching, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Lawas as part of efforts to ensure more comprehensive housing access, including in rural areas.

According to him, the move is a continuation of the Sarawak Government’s commitment to strengthening the people’s housing agenda following the successful implementation of 12 projects under 12MP, which provided 679 affordable housing units with an allocation of nearly RM148 million.

“The government is committed to ensuring more people own comfortable homes through continuous planning and an inclusive approach, including the implementation of physical and non-physical projects such as financing assistance and the issuance of strata titles,” he said.

He said this during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday.

Apart from physical development, he said the government is also focusing on strengthening the home ownership ecosystem through two non-physical initiatives under 13MP, namely the provision of Mutiara Mortgage and Credit grants as well as the issuance of strata titles.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the Projek Rakyat through Rumah SPEKTRA Permata (RSP) continues to play an important role in expanding housing access, particularly for rural communities.

To date, four RSP projects involving 154 housing units in Santubong, Hulu Kabong, Tian and Igan have been successfully completed at a total cost of RM69.2 million.

For 2026, a total of 276 RSP units are currently being actively developed in Gedong, Sambir, Limbang and Banting, Lawas involving an allocation of RM36 million. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Eisner Nala
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery
Translator: Uilson Ng