BINTULU, Aug 25: The Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will continue to intervene to create affordable housing for the people.
With the soaring price of housing, especially in city areas, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government has had to intervene.
Abang Johari pointed out that several affordable housing projects such as those in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and others were part of the efforts to develop Sarawak for a better future.
“A lot of people in Bintulu lamented that houses here are too expensive and this is because most of the projects were built by private companies.
“When I took over as Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) chairman, we discussed about it and then I said let us flood the market. By the rules of economics, if there are a lot of supply, then the price will go down,” Abang Johari said at the Sri Pertiwi, Tanjung Kidurung affordable housing project earth breaking ceremony, today.
He stated that flooding the market with an over supply of houses, will disrupt the price and allow for more control over the price of real estate.
“If we don’t do this, rakyat cannot afford to buy houses. If private developers choose to continue selling their houses at skyrocket prices, then it is up to them.”
He pointed out that this was why BDA returned to building affordable housing for the people and this time, with private developer Joha Baru.
With the construction of the over RM400 million Kemena Bridge project, Abang Johari said this would further develop Jepak and enable it to open up more, including developing of new villages and commercial areas.
“The plan for affordable houses in Jepak is in the making, for which a site has been identified and it will be similar to that developed in Kuching and Sibu,” he added.—DayakDaily
