Sarawak to pilot new affordable housing model for M40

 Premier Abang Johari Openg says the pilot projects are expected to be implemented in Kuching and near Samarahan.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said affordable M40 housing was necessary because land availability and prices had become increasingly challenging, particularly in urban areas. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Sarawak is developing several pilot projects for a new affordable housing model for the M40 income group.

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the pilot projects were expected to be implemented in Kuching and another near Samarahan, Borneo Post reported.

“We are now starting the calculation of the type of house and the cost, within a range that the M40 can afford,” he told reporters after an event in Balingian today.

He said the initiative was necessary because land availability and prices had become increasingly challenging, particularly in urban areas.

The initiative would involve collaboration among state agencies, including the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, the Housing Development Corporation, and the Bintulu Development Authority.

Abang Johari said the state government would assess the outcome of the pilot projects before expanding the model to other urban areas in Miri and Sibu.

Last year, DAP MP Oscar Ling urged the government to build affordable housing projects in Sibu under the 13th Malaysia Plan, saying there were no such homes in the constituency.

Ling, who represents Sibu, said the only affordable housing project under the housing and local government ministry was in Sibu Jaya, but the project had been left abandoned. - FMT