RM55.6 mln to accelerate devt on Pulau Bruit

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has allocated RM55.6 million to accelerate development on Pulau Bruit in the Daro district to ensure that the area is included in the state’s growth plans.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the funds would be used for several key projects, including a RM45 million affordable housing scheme, the construction of an agricultural centre and food court valued at RM5 million, and RM5.6 million to repair the Semop Fishermen’s Resettlement Housing Project.

“We must provide these facilities early, as Pulau Bruit will become a key transit point once the Batang Paloh and Muara Lassa Bridges are completed.

“Travellers from Belawai and Tanjung Manis heading to Mukah will pass through Pulau Bruit, so we need to be ready with the necessary infrastructure,” he said when officiating at the Pulau Bruit Festival 2024 held at the Rural Growth Centre (RGC) commercial site in Semop on Saturday.

Regarding the affordable housing scheme, Abang Johari explained that the three-bedroom houses, modeled after those in Kampung Datu and Kemuyang in Sibu, and Sungai Bedaun in Kuching, will be priced at RM150,000 per unit.

He said the Sarawak government will subsidise a RM10,000 deposit for each homebuyer.

“I have approved 56 lots, each approximately 12 points in size (around 486 square metres). We will start with 56 units, and if demand is high, we will build more houses for Pulau Bruit,” he added.

As for the Semop Fishermen’s Resettlement Housing Project, Abang Johari noted that while the list of eligible occupants has been finalised, the homes have suffered damage from being left incomplete for some time.

“I have instructed the Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) to carry out repairs block by block, with one block completed every six months until all 307 housing units are fully restored,” he said.

He said the state government will fund these repairs, and once each block is completed, residents will gradually move in until all homes are ready for occupancy.