SIBU: The new law on housing is a win-win situation for the public, housing developers and the Sarawak government, says state Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Micheal Tiang.
Speaking to reporters at a lion's eye-dotting ceremony on Sunday (Jan 7), Tiang added that he hopes Sarawak will continue to improve its housing policy to benefit the people with affordable housing, especially for those buying their first house.
The Pelawan assemblyman said that under the present policy, private developers are "forced" to allocate 30% of the area used for housing schemes or mixed development projects to affordable homes if the developed land area was 10 acres or more.
"Under the current policy, developers are forced to build in secluded areas due to costly land which is not accessible to the people; they also have to incur higher transportation costs," he said.
ALSO READ : S’wak private housing no longer have to build affordable homes
However, this is different under the new scheme to be implemented in the first quarter of 2024.
"Now, they would just need to pay a certain quantum to a housing trust fund. This is good as our Housing Development Corporation (HDC) can receive the money and then build affordable residential houses according to our urban development plan,” said Tsang.
He said that this would allow homes to be built that meet the people's expectations are more affordable, of a better quality and in a better location.
ALSO READ : Housing developers in Sarawak no longer obligated to construct affordable homes, says Abang Johari
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had on Saturday (Jan 6) said private housing developers planning on developing large-scale projects in Sarawak are no longer required to build affordable homes starting from the first quarter of this year.
Abang Johari said the decision to take control of affordable housing construction was made as some property developers were not serious in developing such projects.
