Kota Kinabalu: The government has yet to introduce a policy allowing rent-to-own schemes for units under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR), even for homes that have been occupied for more than 15 to 20 years.
“PPR homes are developed by the Federal Government and only handed over to the local or relevant local authorities once construction is completed.
“At present, the policy is solely to rent out these units to eligible tenants. There is no rent-to-own policy in place as of now,” said Deputy Chief Minister II cum Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Joachim was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (appointed Assemblyman), who asked whether the State Government planned to review or introduce a rent-to-own model for long-occupied PPR units.
The issue was raised following cases in which children of PPR tenants were ordered to vacate their homes after the death of their parents.
Meanwhile, Joachim said the State Government does have plans to build more affordable low-cost housing for the B40 income group across Sabah.
“Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-12), the State Government, through its implementing agency, the Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB), is currently developing 225 low-cost housing units at five strategic locations.
“These include 50 units in Kemabong (Tenom), 50 in Sukau (Kinabatangan), 50 in Melalap (Tenom), 25 in Beluran, and 50 in Pitas, all fully funded by the State Government.
“These homes will be sold to eligible B40 applicants at RM47,000 per unit,” he said.
He added that the State Government, via LPPB, also plans to construct more low-cost homes for B40 families under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-13), with proposals currently under review and awaiting approval from the Sabah State Economic Planning Unit (Upen).
In a related development, Datuk Junz Wong (Tanjung Aru – Warisan) raised a question on the redevelopment of the Tanjung Aru flats, asking whether the site would be used for affordable or low-cost housing for the public.
Joachim responded: “The flats in Tanjung Aru will be redeveloped as a mixed development area. There will be affordable units as well as those above the affordable category.”
