By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 19: The Sarawak government will pilot the Rumah Spektra Mutiara housing programme in the Samarahan Division through the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), now at the tendering stage and involving about eight applicants, as part of efforts to strengthen affordable homeownership access for Sarawakians.
Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the pilot project under the Rumah Spektra Mutiara – PBT Programme is designed to support first-time homeownership among Sarawakians from the B40 and M40 income groups by enabling them to build homes on individually owned land, including those under the Village Extension Scheme (SPK) and Resettlement Scheme (SPS).
“The initiative provides an affordable housing solution through the Mutiara Dream Home Financing Scheme, in which eligible landowners can obtain financing from Mutiara while construction is undertaken by registered contractors appointed by local authorities and monitored by the ministry.
“As an initial phase, Mutiara will commence a pilot project in the Samarahan Division through the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting today.
Dr Sim, who is also Deputy Premier, added that the pilot will serve as a testing ground to evaluate the operational workflow, technical processes, and financing mechanisms before the programme is expanded statewide.
Under the approved design, each Rumah Spektra Mutiara unit will be a single-storey house with a built-up area of 750 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
He said the homes are designed to provide comfortable and practical living conditions, with a minimum ceiling height of 10 feet to improve ventilation and overall livability.
Meanwhile, from 2019 to March 2026, the ministry has approved a total of 7,662 private affordable housing applications across all categories. — DayakDaily
