Dr Sim: S’wak govt to consider increasing housing deposit, repayment assistance scheme

KUCHING (Sept 6): The Sarawak government is considering increasing the state’s Housing Deposit and Repayment Assistance Scheme (HDRAS), said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He added that the state government is also evaluating an appropriate levy amount that developers should contribute to proposed housing trust funds.

In this regard, the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak said that stakeholder input and the state’s specific housing needs would be integral in the government’s decision-making process, addressing the ongoing imbalance of housing supply and demand.

“If I calculate based on 25,000 households in the waiting list, and set every household with (an income threshold of) RM15,000 each in subsidies, we need approximately RM3 billion.

“At the moment, Sarawak needs approximately 800,000 affordable houses, but there are only 700,000 households. This means that there are more than 100,000 vacant houses,” he said.

Dr Sim said this when officiating at the Sarawak Housing Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Property Expo 2024 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here today.

He was representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Meanwhile, Sheda president Augustine Wong echoed the state government’s sentiment in the proposal to expand HDRAS by increasing the household income eligibility threshold to RM15,000 per month.

He also proposed enhancing financial assistance from the current RM10,000 to 10 per cent of the property’s price and allow eligible applicants to purchase properties freely on the open market.

“We sincerely believe that the proposals will generate positive economic impact on housing affordability, thereby promoting sustainability,” said Wong.

Since its introduction in 2022, HDRAS has offered up to RM10,000 in deposit assistance to first-time homeowners from the B40 (low-income) and M40 (middle-income) groups, provided they purchase affordable homes from registered developers.

On the expo running until Sept 8, event organising chairman Steve Tan said it presents an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.