SIBU: Sarawak is the only part of the country where the Housing and Local Government Ministry has not been able to build affordable homes due to problems in the allocation of land for the projects.
Its minister Zuraida Kamaruddin told reporters after visiting Sungai Merah Fire Station yesterday that the state government had not responded to its request for land.
“By contrast, all other states have already identified land for such homes,” she said.
Thus, she hoped the Sarawak Housing and Development Commission and especially Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg would respond positively to the ministry’s request.
Zuraida believes that the state has ample land in strategic places for the implementation of the projects.
“We have identified a piece of land but the state government has not handed it over to us formally. I hope the state government would work with the federal government in this matter,” she said.
The ministry had completed 32,951 units of affordable homes in the first three months of this year. Of the number, the highest was in Kuala Lumpur with 7,390 units, followed by Perak with 5,688 units, Putrajaya (4,999), Kedah (4,815), Selangor (3,777), Johor (1,964) and Pahang (1,884).
Pakatan Harapan (PH) targets to build one million affordable homes in 10 years, that is, 100,000 units per year. This year alone, it hopes to construct 360,000 units to surpass the target.
On improving the state Fire and Rescue Department’s facilities, she said the ministry is planning to build 14 Category E fire stations at longhouses next year.
She said such stations were needed due to the vastness and remoteness of villages or settlements around the state which make it hard or even impossible for firemen to reach them in times of emergencies.
“The ‘Tuai Rumah” (village headmen) will take charge of the stations. We will provide firefighting equipment and also train the folk on how to prevent the occurrences of fire,” she said.
The ministry, she said, would also focus more on upgrading fire engines statewide.
“Due to poor roads in the state, fire engines tend to get damaged faster compared to those in Peninsular Malaysia where roads are good,” she said.
Zuraida said nine more fire stations would be built between this year and 2021 for a total of 50. The new ones are at Selangau, Batu Niah, Belaga, Bintangor, Sibujaya, Asajaya, Lutong, Sungai Pian and Sungai Asap.
