Mukah SPK projects showcase govt’s commitment to affordable housing, says Deputy Premier

MUKAH (Jan 21): A total of 42 Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) projects implemented in the division to date demonstrate the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to improving the well-being of the people through planned housing developments and enhanced basic amenities, particularly for low-income groups.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the SPK is among the state’s key initiatives to ensure that residents have access to legal, safe and liveable residential land.

“This scheme is not merely about providing housing lots; it is implemented in a planned manner, complete with roads, drainage systems, as well as water and electricity supply,” he said.

He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the Tellian Tengah Village Expansion Scheme here on Tuesday, held alongside the handover of the Gazette on Bumiputera Communal Reserve (Agricultural) under Section 6 and land titles under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code, at the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) Mukah Complex multipurpose hall.

Awang Tengah said that in addition to the 42 SPK projects, the state government has implemented 11 resettlement scheme projects, bringing the total number of housing developments in Mukah to 53.

“These projects cover areas such as Meleng, Dalat, Daro, Matu and Tanjung Manis. Some have been fully completed, while others are still under implementation,” he said.

He added that the schemes feature improved specifications, including concrete drains, paved roads and complete basic amenities, even though the cost of developing a single lot can reach up to RM150,000.

To ease the financial burden on beneficiaries, the state government has reduced the land premium to just RM2,500 and allowed payments to be made by instalments.

Selection of beneficiaries is carried out by community committees at divisional and district levels to ensure that assistance is provided only to those genuinely eligible.

“The land grants or Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) issued cannot be transferred or sold without approval, except to immediate family members with the consent of the land authority,” he said.

For TOL recipients unable to build their own houses, the state government, through agencies including the Sarawak Housing Development Corporation, is ready to assist in constructing affordable homes.

Additionally, assistance of up to RM10,000 is provided for deposit payments to eligible applicants under the housing schemes.

Commenting on the handover of the Gazette for Bumiputera Communal Reserve (Agricultural) under Section 6 and land titles under Section 18, Awang Tengah said the move reflects the state government’s strong commitment to safeguarding land ownership rights.

“Since 2010, more than 1.2 million hectares of land have been successfully processed throughout Sarawak, including nearly 130,000 hectares through individual ownership.

“Today, recipients of Section 18 titles no longer need to pay survey fees, premiums or land costs,” he said.