By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 23: To address the end-financing problem affecting B40 and M40 homebuyers, the Sarawak government through Mutiara Portage & Credit Sdn Bhd (Mutiara) has approved 1,382 applications involving financial allocation of RM83 million.
Public Health, Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said to date, out of these approved applications, a total of RM50 million has been disbursed to 1,003 house buyers at an annual interest of one per cent for B40 and three per cent for M40 homebuyers.
On the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS) which was introduced in 2021 but enhanced and in 2022 and renamed the ‘Housing Deposit and Repayment Assistance Scheme (HDRAS)’, Dr Sim said the initiative provides financial assistance of 10 per cent of the purchase price or RM10,000 whichever is lower, to the eligible applicants.
“This house upfront deposit payment is for first time home ownership under housing schemes sanctioned by Sarawak government.
“Any home buyer who is approved with a 100 per cent financing from financial institution is also eligible for repayment assistance of RM200 per month up to 48 months,” said Dr Sim who is also Deputy Premier.
He said for this initiative, RM10 million has been allocated in 2022 and an additional RM40 million in 2023 to Mutiara which will benefit about 5,000 homebuyers.
To date, under the Housing Deposit and Repayment Assistance Scheme (HDRAS), Mutiara has received 713 applications of which 601 applications have been approved amounting to RM5 million. — DayakDaily
