By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 3: A total of 126 extended families from Kampung Panglima Seman Lama, Kampung Semarang and the Additional Lot area in Seberang Hilir will move into their new homes at Sungai Bedaun Resettlement here starting today.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sungai Bedaun Resettlement is a spin-off from the grand Darul Hana Development project, which started in 2011, that sees some 2,640 households from 12 villages in the ‘Seberang Hilir’ area along the Sarawak River in Petra Jaya to be relocated to a new township.
Developed by the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) on a 108.2-acre site, the Sungai Bedaun Resettlement Scheme involves the construction of 426 house units and is divided into two packages.
The first package involves an area of 52.2 acres for the construction of 209 house units, and has been completed.
Meanwhile, the second phase will involve 56 acres for the construction of 217 housing units, which is expected to start in June 2024 and be completed in the third quarter of 2026.
“For the first package, 126 extended families from Kampung Semarang, Kampung Panglima Seman Lama and the Additional Lot area in Seberang Hilir who meet the application criteria and conditions have been offered to buy houses in Sungai Bedaun Resettlement.
“Meanwhile, the remaining 83 house units in this first package will be offered to eligible extended families from Kampung Pulo Ulu,” he said in a speech text read by Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication-cum-Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi at the handing over of house keys to the recipients at the Sungai Bedaun Resettlement, Santubong here today.
Each house in the new housing area ranges between RM99,500 to RM120,000, of which the buyers are eligible for the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS) of RM10,000 and a loan from Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd.
The new houses have unique characteristics, including a roof design based on traditional Malay houses, a rainwater harvesting system, the concept of cluster houses without fences, and specific guidelines set for future house renovation and expansion work.
Abang Johari also mentioned that the Sarawak government has agreed to build a new mosque and a community hall at the new resettlement area.
In addition, this sort of housing project comprising model houses and affordable prices will be expanded to several other areas such as Gedong, Asajaya, Sebuyau, Kabong, Sungai Baji in Sarikei, Kemuyang in Sibu, Jepak in Bintulu and Kapit.
Also present were Federal Minister of Women, Family and Community Development-cum-Santubong MP Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development) Aidel Lariwoo; Sarawak Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datuk Zaidi Mahdi; Housing Development Corporation (HDC) chairman Abdul Yakub Arbi; LCDA general manager Datu Monaliza Zaidel and Kuching Resident Norleha Shariff. — DayakDaily
