KUCHING, Feb 7: The Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS) is not only to assist the B40 and M40 groups in owning homes but also to boost the local economy, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to Abang Johari, it will help the construction sector in the State and enable developers to build more houses and attract more buyers.
“It would affect the supply chains in the housing industry, and apart from that, we are creating wealth for these two groups of people by enabling them to have their own assets.
“Of course, we also want to reduce our poverty rate, especially in urban as well as in rural areas,” said Abang Johari in his speech during the launching ceremony for the HDAS and Mutiara Spektra Housing programme.
The ceremony was broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) via Facebook Live, today.
Abang Johari said the deposit assistance scheme is an innovative approach by the State government, and that Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia which offers such a scheme.
“Having said about the deposit, you don’t have to pay it back, and as long as I am the Chief Minister, we will increase the deposit assistance from time to time depending on the number of applications received,” he added.
Abang Johari also revealed that for individuals who want to build a house on land they own, Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd (Mutiara) will introduce the Mutiara Spectra Home Programme where the cost of building a house will be funded by Mutiara Mortgage through the Mutiara Dream Home Financing Scheme (MDHFS).
He said the design will be based on the standard blueprint set with construction cost estimated to range from RM90,000 to RM160,000 which will be financed through housing financing with Mutiara.
“Such an initiative greatly helps the people of Sarawak in terms of increasing their net disposable income as well as increasing the value of wealth (wealth creation) respectively.
“The rural population is also given special attention so that they will not be left behind in this transformation process,” he said.
Touching on the Sarawak Rental Assistance Scheme (SRAS), Abang Johari said the RM200 monthly assistance will benefit approximately 20,000 eligible households who are renting in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
“The scheme also help to address urban poverty and squatter issues, as well as reduce the cost of living for beneficiaries,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will build 2,323 housing units across 42 physical projects, while three are non-physical projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for the low-income group.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, also revealed the Longhouse Loan Scheme programme is now being actively rolled out and is receiving overwhelming response from longhouse communities.
“As of Feb 2022, 5,023 applications have been received for the Longhouse Loan Scheme, namely in Kuching (35), Serian (20), Samarahan (30), Sri Aman (204), Betong (242), Sarikei (714), Sibu (1,637), Kapit (444), Mukah (183), Bintulu (799) and Miri (715),” he disclosed. — DayakDaily
