By Ling Hui and Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 6: Redevelopment of the abandoned Sentoria Borneo Samariang Garden housing project by the Sarawak government will be carried out in phases with focus on the low-cost and affordable housing to begin with.
Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi revealed this following a discussion with Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today who emphasised the need to focus on developing the houses of existing buyers who have signed the Sales and Purchase (S&P) agreement and started to repay their loans.
While he did not have the exact figure, Dr Abdul Rahman said there are at least 300 house buyers affected by the abandoned housing project which was supposed to be completed in 2019.
“There are three categories of buyers with one group of about 100 individuals who took up loans from a State government agency of Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Berhad.
“The second group involves some 200 Federal government staff members who took up loans from the Public Sector Housing Financing Board (LPPSA) and the third group of about 30 people taking loans from private banks,” he told reporters when met at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house held at a hotel here today.
Yesterday (May 5), Abang Johari has announced that the Sarawak government will take over the Sentoria Borneo Samariang Garden housing project, whose construction has been abandoned by a public-listed developer company following internal problems.
Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also Deputy Minister of Utility, explained that the developer will not be able to deliver the project despite the State government through the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government had met with them for numerous times in the past, noting the sufferings it has caused the house-buyers who are mostly young people.
“As announced by the Premier, the State government through the Ministry of Housing will take over the project beginning with phases involving low-cost and affordable housing which will be redeveloped.
“I had the opportunity to discuss with the Premier earlier who has emphasised to put focus on developing the houses of buyers who have signed the S&P (Sales and Purchase) agreement and started to repay their housing loans despite the houses being incomplete.
“These are the efforts being carried out by the government as well as continued negotiations with the developer which is based in Kuala Lumpur. This is the first time we have encountered problems with a Peninsula-based developer as we normally deal with local developers which is easier,” he said.
Despite that, Dr Abdul Rahman gave assurance that all parties involved in the redevelopment including the State government, Ministry of Housing and other agencies will do their best to ensure the projects can be completed.
“We feel sad for the house buyers who have to face all these problems.
“We will also discuss with the Ministry (of Housing) to help these affected house buyers to rearrange their loan repayment and other matters from time to time,” he added. — DayakDaily
