Dr Sim speaking to reporters after officiating at the book launching ceremony.

By Christopher Lidom

KUCHING, Jan 7: The proposed special trust fund for housing developers announced by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will ensure low-cost housing is built, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government said the government through Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will use the fund for affordable housing development.

“There is a lot of affordable housing supposed to have been built, but in reality on the ground, it has not been built.

“So I think the Premier, being the minister of housing before, he is fully aware of that,” he told reporters when met by reporters after officiating at the launching of a book titled ‘Those were the Days, Memories Forever’ by former Batu Kawah assemblyman Datuk Alfred Yap at Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) headquarters here today.

Yesterday (Jan 6), Abang Johari said private developers developing land measuring 10 acres or more in Sarawak are required to make payment into a special trust fund instead of allotting up to 30 per cent of their housing projects to build affordable houses.

According to Abang Johari, the new housing policy will take effect within the first quarter of this year. — DayakDaily