People's home ownership a priority to Sabah govt - CM

By Rohana Nasrah

KUALA PENYU, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The people’s welfare including home ownership is a priority to the Sabah government, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji said this could be seen through the Rumah Mesra SMJ initiative to lift the rural people from poverty and to ensure the provision of affordable homes for them.

He also assured that the Sabah government would continue to double up efforts to protect the people’s welfare and state’s interest.

“Besides giving attention to the main growth sectors and economic recovery in the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) programme, the Sabah government also focuses on the second thrust of the development plan that is human capital and people's prosperity.

“This includes ensuring the people have a roof over their heads," he said when launching the Rumah Mesra SMJ, here, today.

The launching was meaningful to the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-Barisan Nasional (BN) state government since it also coincided with its second anniversary at the helm of the state’s administration since Sept 29, 2020, he added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the Rumah Mesra SMJ, which adopted the concept of the Hardcore Poor Housing Project (PPRT), was to help those under the poverty line to own a home.

"I often stress that all government policies and programmes that are being planned must be orientated on people's prosperity. The poor must never be sidelined.

“The houses will be built in all 73 state constituencies, utilising the federal special grant of RM125.6 million channelled to the State Rural Development Ministry this year,” he said.

Each house costs RM70,000, which the Chief Minister hoped could be completed on schedule, and at the same time, he urged the Rural Development Ministry to ensure only deserving recipients get these houses.

"We must ensure priority be given to those who do not own a house. Among the criteria for the Rumah Mesra SMJ is that they are in the e-Kasih list, their house damaged in a natural disaster or people with disabilities. The government will constantly monitor to ensure these houses are not rented out," he said.

On another note, Hajiji believes that the people are wise enough in evaluating the performance and achievements of the GRS-BN led state government in the past two years that has brought progress and prosperity that is more meaningful to the state and people.

Earlier, Hajiji visited two completed Rumah Mesra SMJ model homes at the Kampung Kepayan Scheme, Menumbok and Kampung Bundu, Kuala Penyu where he presented the house keys to the new owners.

-- BERNAMA