by Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Jan 13: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will look into Sheda’s suggestion to extend the Mutiara Housing Loan Scheme to include the private sector’s affordable housing.
In his speech at the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Excellence Awards 2019-cum-gala dinner last night, Sheda president Dr Christopher Ngui suggested that perhaps such a successful and good financing programme could be extended to the private sector to boost the dwindling housing market.
“I will consider this suggestion to give a similar housing loan facility to not just government-built properties, but also private. This is so that our Sarawakians can buy houses,” Abang Johari said.
The scheme is managed by Mutiara Mortgage and Credit Sdn Bhd, the state-owned and subsidiary of Housing Development Corporation (HDC). It was specifically established to cater for the financial needs of particular segments of people to enable them to own houses.
“After all, the reason why we established Mutiara is to give the facility to the low-income group to apply for loans to purchase property as long as they fulfill the necessary requirements,” he added.
On the other suggestion from Ngui for the Sarawak government to extend housing loan facilities by Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Bhd to private residential projects as well, Abang Johari said that was not possible because the scheme is a joint programme between Sabah and Sarawak.
“Unless Sabah agrees, I don’t think we are able to do that,” he said, adding that on the other hand, the Mutiara Housing Loan Scheme is a 100 per cent Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government-owned financial facility. — DayakDaily
