KUCHING, May 12: The federal government needs to allocate more funds for affordable housing projects, especially under the People’s Housing Project Programme in Sarawak, as there has been a lack of new projects since the change of federal administration in 2018.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian raised this issue during a recent courtesy visit to the Federal Minister of Local Government Development Nga Kor Ming and joining a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Putrajaya recently.
“Housing matters are under the Concurrent List. (But there) has not been any introduction of any new project funding allocations for housing since the change of the Federal government in 2018,” he shared in a post on his social media yesterday (May 11).
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, emphasised the importance for the federal government to recognise Sarawak’s contributions and allocate a fair share of funding for housing projects in Sarawak.
“The Sarawak government has been stepping up with our own funding for housing (initiatives), but we would like the federal government to do their part and (provide) fair allocation for (Sarawak’s) housing (development),” he said.
He pointed out that Sarawak had significantly contributed to Malaysia’s revenue through various taxes, including income tax, oil and gas taxes, Petronas profits, stamp duty, and palm oil windfall tax, among others.
In a statement issued today, Dr Sim also requested more funding for Housing Maintenance Programme worth RM11 million.
He also urged the National Housing Development Company and the Federal Ministry of Local Government Development to expedite the settlement of outstanding claims.
Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing Michael Tiang, Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government permanent secretary Elizabeth Lo, and Bomba Sarawak director Datu Khiruddin Drahman were present. — DayakDaily
