BALINGIAN: The Sarawak Government is drawing up an affordable housing model specifically for the middle-income (M40) group, with Bintulu chosen as the pilot project location before the approach is extended to other urban areas.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the study covers suitable house types and cost ranges so that the M40 group will also have the opportunity to own a home.

"We are indeed studying how to develop homes for the M40 group, and we are now making calculations on the types of houses and also the costs, within a price range they can afford, so that they too have the opportunity to own a home," 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 here today.

Elaborating, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said Bintulu was chosen for the pilot project because demand for housing among the M40 group in the area is becoming more apparent, including among higher-income workers and executives.

"Now, we will carry out a pilot project in Bintulu because the area also faces housing issues for the M40 group.

"Some of them have fairly high incomes, including executives, but still need suitable homes. So, we will prepare an appropriate formula," he said.

According to the Sarawak Premier, if the pilot project succeeds in producing a housing model within a price range that the M40 group can afford, the approach will be considered for extension to other major urban areas, including Kuching, Miri and Sibu.

However, he said among the main challenges to be addressed are high land costs and the limited availability of new areas for development, as some urban areas are becoming increasingly congested.

For the pilot project, two locations have been identified in Bintulu, namely in the Jepak area and an area near Kampung Nyalau, close to Samalaju. -UKASnews

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