By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Nov 19: Developers will no longer be required to build affordable housing but they are required to contribute financially to the housing trust fund.
In providing an update on the Sarawak Housing Contribution Trust Fund (SHCTF), Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that a special meeting of the State Planning Authority (SPA) was held to make several important decisions on the matter on April 3.
“The contribution rates will be based on the current prices of affordable housing, with further discussions by the technical committee to finalise the exact amounts.
“It was also agreed that affordable housing prices will be reviewed every five years,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Further elaborating, he said the trust fund was approved and gazetted on July 23 and August 2, respectively, with the special and technical committees, responsible for approving the use of the trust fund, established on October 17.
He added that the Sarawak Financial Secretary’s Office (SFSO) will finalise the details of the trust fund, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg proposed as chairman.
The SFSO and technical committee, he said, will also establish the payment modalities.
“This marks a significant step forward in the management of our housing contributions and we are committed to ensuring its effective implementation for the benefit of the rakyat,” he said. — DayakDaily
