A TOTAL of 959 Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) units are being constructed throughout Sabah as of Nov 22, said Rural Development Assistant Minister Datuk Samad Jambri.
He said of the number, 541 units have been completed construction, while the rest are underway.
He said the construction of the Rumah Mesra SMJ units are under the purview the Rural Development Ministry through City Hall (DBKK), Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) and Tawau Municipal Council (MPT), as well as District Offices and Small District Offices throughout the State.
Samad added that Rumah Mesra SMJ homes would be constructed with the Industrial Building System (IBS), but flexibility is given to certain locations where IBS construction is not possible.
“A circular regarding this has been extended to district and implementing offices to inform that the programme can be executed either with IBS or through conventional means,” he said during question time at the State Assembly, in response to Telupid Assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum who asked how many Rumah Mesra SMJ homes have been constructed.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said there are no plans to implement the rent-to-own scheme for the People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Sabah as of now.
He said there are 32 PPR projects comprising some 20,000 units across the State. However, the number of applicants far exceed the number of available of units.
“All PPR projects are under the supervision of my Ministry is for rent only. This model will continue as the demand for PPR units is very high.
“If it is sold then the next group of people will not be able to enjoy this facility,” he said during question time, in response to Tg Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong who asked if there were plans to implement the rent-to-own scheme for PPRs.
However, Dr Joachim said the State Government will still consider the possibility of providing the rent-to-own scheme while his Ministry tries to request for more PPRs all over Sabah.
“We will revise this matter. If we get more (PPR units) and if we find that it is suitable, we will use the rent-to-own scheme, no problem,” he said.
