By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 10: The Sarawak government will identify land in Kuching’s developing areas or urban centres to build affordable housing for the B40 group.
The reason behind this, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, is that those in the B40 should also benefit from the development implemented by the government.
“We do not want those in the B40 group to stay outside of Kuching city, they must be part and parcel of the urban development. So, with that arrangement, the State can identify certain land in developing areas or urban centres where the B40 can own houses.
“Regardless of their social status, they (people of Kuching) live together,” he said when attending the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association’s (Sheda) annual dinner streamed live via Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) last night (Nov 9).
He said that providing affordable houses to the B40 group in the urban area will enable them to improve their livelihoods as they will be surrounded by better facilities.
For example, he pointed out that if those from the B40 group stay near areas with good educational institutes, it will ensure a better future for their children.
“By 2026, if their children are eligible for free university education in Sarawak universities, we will pay (the university fees).
“That will elevate our Sarawakians so that they are knowledgeable and can pursue whatever career they are in and improve their livelihood,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the affordable housing will be built through a trust fund levied from developers who do not want to get involved in building affordable housing.
According to him, the developers who opted out to build affordable housing in their project have to pay a certain amount of levy.
“The Sarawak government has been engaging (with developers on the matter) and more or less decided how to manage the trust fund.
“Using that fund, the government will build the affordable housing, and of course, with certain subsidy,” he said. — DayakDaily
