Kota Kinabalu: State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam urged local authorities to ensure that the People’s Housing Project (PPR) only benefits those who are truly eligible.
Unqualified individuals attaining the low-cost housing scheme through dubious means has been a perennial issue, with some acquiring such units through proxies and others obtaining up to two or three units and putting them up for rent.
“The idea is if you apply for a PPR unit, then you should live in that PPR because you qualify for it.
“I am asking all the local councils to be very strict on this, as the number of PPR units is very limited. Say we have about 2,000 units, but applicants are up to 10,000.
This would be very unfair to those who qualify,” he told reporters after launching the newly refurbished Creative Lab showroom by Niro Ceramic Group at Kolombong, here, Wednesday.
Joachim, who is also Deputy Chief Minister II, said the State Government encourages the local construction industry to practise green sustainability.
“We are actually encouraging all architects and engineers to go green.
“At the moment, the Sabah Government is not forcing nor going to impose an index or formula. We are just encouraging them to go green. We want to have as low carbon emission as possible,” he said.
On Niro Ceramic Group’s new showroom, Dr Joachim commended the group on its efforts to redesign it in a sustainable manner.
“Your effort to continually adapt and adopt new ideas shows that you are constantly in touch with the community’s needs which are forever changing.
“Your adaptability and innovation serve as an inspiration for all of us, including the architects, home designers and homeowners too,” he said.
Also present were the Group’s Chief Operating Officer David Tan, General Manager National Sales, Go Kean Tat and Malaysia Green Building Council President Ar. Dr Serina Hijjas.
