BALINGIAN: The Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is providing pre-approved designs for houses under the Village Expansion Scheme (SPK), allowing owners to extend their homes in future according to their needs and means.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the additional design had been approved by the local authorities, giving owners the option to expand their homes without having to start the design process from scratch.

"HDC provides another design. If they are fortunate enough to enlarge their homes, there is already a design available and it has been approved by the local authorities," he said.

He said this at a press conference after visiting the Rumah Spektra Permata (RSP) SPK Balingian site and the symbolic handing over of house keys to the new owners on Saturday.

According to him, the design gives owners the flexibility to add living space when their financial situation and family needs permit.

"If they want to expand further, build further, that is up to the house owner. But what is important is that we have our own building," he said.

He added that the approach is part of the state government's efforts to provide homes that are not only affordable but also have the potential to be adapted to owners' needs in the long term.

He said such housing development approaches are also being implemented in several other areas, including Dalat, Kabong, Santubong and Kampung Sambir, involving agencies such as HDC and the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA).

In a related development, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said the SPK development approach has also shifted from merely providing land lots to developing entire areas with basic amenities before houses are built.

In Balingian, the total cost of each house, including land, is estimated at about RM300,000, but applicants only need to pay RM150,000 as the balance is borne by the Sarawak Government.

The state government is also providing a RM10,000 deposit assistance, while the remaining RM140,000 can be financed through Mutiara Mortgage & Finance.

It is understood that applicants are expected to pay about RM200 to RM300 a month, depending on their age and the financing repayment period.

He said the approach aims to make it easier for more low-income people to own land and homes without being burdened by the full development cost.

For the record, 22 RSP SPK units in Balingian have been completed, with another 32 units to be implemented in future.

Also present were Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Sarawak Attorney-General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Balingian Assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi, Mukah Division Resident Bujang Rahman Seli and other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Jonnie Kiew
Photos: Scharzerill
Translator: Uilson Ng