KUCHING, Feb 18: The state government has approved a fund of RM50 million this year to finance the repair or construction of longhouses.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas pointed out that the allocation would benefit 1,667 doors or families with a maximum assistance of RM30,000 per door.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg approved the allocation since the federal government, which had been providing such funds, had not given any allocation this year,” he revealed after chairing a meeting to decide on the beneficiaries of the programme today.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and his assistant minister Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, as well as Assistant Native Law and Customs Minister Datuk John Sikie Tayai and officers from the state Housing Ministry were present.
Uggah also disclosed that since 2007, the federal government had given a total of RM122.3 million toward the programme.
“The amount had benefitted 3,432 doors from 163 longhouses,” he said.
However, he added, the federal fund had been decreasing from RM50 million in 2016 to RM10 million each year in 2018 and 2019 although the applications from longhouse dwellers had increased yearly. — DayakDaily
