Minister hails S’wak’s new housing policy as ‘win-win situation’ with greater flexibility

Michael Tiang Ming Tee

KUCHING, Jan 7: The new policy that does not require private property developers to allocate 30 per cent of their housing or mixed development projects for affordable residential units creates a win-win situation for all parties, said Michael Tiang Ming Tee.

The Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG) Sarawak also stated that it will benefit buyers, private developers, and the Sarawak government.

Tiang made this statement in response to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s announcement yesterday (Jan 6) that private developers may no longer be required to develop 30 per cent of their housing schemes or mixed development projects into affordable housing in the future, instead contributing money to a trust fund.

“Under the current policy whereby the private developers are obliged to reserve 30 per cent of their land for affordable residential units, developers normally reserve an area that is secluded, away from their main project. The reason being because it is cheaper,” he said in a statement.

However, he said this defeated the purpose of the Sarawak government to provide good quality affordable housing to the people as the areas are far away from the community.

“Most of the time, the private developers just simply build the units, and they are not up to the satisfactory quality or condition.

“Under the current policy, the developers under the legal obligation are forced to use their land resources to build such affordable units, that is why most of the time, they choose to build in secluded areas because it is cheaper,” he pointed out.

Tiang expressed belief that the new policy, once implemented, will resolve such issues because developers are free from legal obligation to build affordable residential units, noting that they could use their land resources and begin planning to develop the housing project or development projects of their choice.

“That is also good for developers. They just need to make some payments to the housing trust fund and not be forced under the law to build residential units and use up their land resources.”

Furthermore, he stated that the government, through the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), can use the funds to plan and build affordable housing units for the people.

He further highlighted that the government can build better and affordable housing units and make the places more accessible to the people.

“This is good news for the people; not only can they afford to buy houses, but the houses built by the government under HDC will be more attractive and accessible and meet the people’s expectations.

“I am really glad that the Premier is going to implement this policy because this is going to be a win-win situation for all parties,” Tiang added. — DayakDaily