KUCHING: The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) will implement more medium- and long-term recovery measures to ensure houses will remain affordable for Sarawakians.
The association applauded the state government’s Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance 7.0 (BKSS 7.0) to help the business communities in the state.
“We see the state government is hearing the call of the housing industry and the initiative is a positive step towards helping the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The initiatives under BKSS 7.0 are growth catalysts and will result in a spin-off of more economic activities and employment in addition to more infrastructure development and revenue for the state,” it said in a statement today.
It added the renewal of Foreign Workers Employment Permit for Agriculture, Mining, Construction and Services with the validity of labour licence until December 31, 2022 would greatly resolve the labour shortage in the construction sector.
The permit would also facilitate the continuation of the construction activities and eradicate further delay in the completion of housing projects.
“Sheda is most heartened to note that under BKSS 7.0, the state government is granting automatic extension of time (EOT) of a maximum 60 days for projects delayed due to the third movement control order (MCO 3.0).
“The contractors, subsequently, would not be penalised based on the waiver of the Liquidated and Ascertained Damages (LAD) imposed during the MCO period.
“This has greatly relieved the burden of housing developers who encountered delay and hardship due to the MCO in carrying out construction works at sites,” said Sheda.
