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KUCHING, June 21: The announcement that the age criteria for the Sarawak Rental Assistance Scheme (SRAS) has been lowered from 21 to 18 will not only help those of lower income to rent proper accommodation, but it would also allow a wider group to have access to the assistance and reduce illegal squatters.
This was said by Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching branch chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok in a press statement issued yesterday.
“This is where the younger target group will need assistance more, especially when they’re just starting out in the working world,” he said.
Sim said to raise awareness of the scheme, it should be promoted to major employers in Sarawak. He also urged news outlets to carry information on how to apply for the scheme.
Additionally, he said the scheme should also be made known to secondary schools and institutions of higher learning for the benefit of school leavers.
The announcement was made by Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian on June 19, who said RM48 million had been allocated for this scheme which provides an RM200 subsidy per month for up to three years.
He said that the scheme committee so far had approved RM1,786 applications, amounting to RM10 million.
“Hopefully, with the expanded criteria, we can help more people in their rental (payments) in towns like Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, to assist them with (to address) high cost of living,” said Dr Sim, who is also Deputy Sarawak Premier. — DayakDaily
