KOTA KINABALU: The Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) has received some 50,000 online applications for the Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) scheme, said its Chairman Datuk Masiung Banah.
“This year, LPPB will be constructing several housing projects,” he said. “Among them would be 50 Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) in Kemabong, 50 in Merotai, Tawau, 25 in Beluran and 50 in Sukau.”Masiung, who is also an assemblyman and Borneo Cement (Sabah) Sdn Bhd Chairman, said only those with incomes of RM3,000 and below are eligible for such houses.
“LPPB is aware of the high demand from people with incomes of RM3,000 and below. The Board is working diligently, but there are still many people in need of assistance.However, that is the extent of LPPB’s ability to provide Rumah Mesra as we depend on government allocations.
”Masiung said the current allocation of only 200 PPR units falls significantly short of the affordable housing needs in Sabah.The shortage has become a pressing issue, leaving many low-income families struggling to find suitable accommodation.
He said the State Government must prioritise the allocation of funds and resources to develop more low-cost housing projects to alleviate the burden on those in need.Regarding the restructuring of LPPB, Masiung said some adjustments will be made in each department.
“There are eight department managers in LPPB – some have been in their field for between 10 and 20 years. So we want a little change so that they do not get too comfortable in their current departments.
“They must at least move to another department with the hope that they will have new determination and ideas to present that will benefit LPPB. We do not want them to be only stuck in their comfort zones,” he said.
On Thursday’s Hari Raya celebration with the media, Masiung said it aimed to strengthen the relationship between government leaders and media practitioners further.
“As I said earlier, in terms of shaping and considering the development and change of societal mindset, we (government leaders and media) have the same objectives but in different platforms,” he said.
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