Latest news with #BN-Lamag
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sabah yet to implement rent-to-own policy for PPR housing
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has yet to adopt a rent-to-own policy for People's Housing Project (PPR) units in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said implementing such a policy is difficult due to the high number of residents waiting to rent these homes. He said if the policy were to be implemented, it would affect the chances of other residents who are also waiting to rent, as the number of units is limited. "Our current policy is strictly rental. It is up to the tenants to eventually obtain their own homes, be it low-cost housing, affordable homes or others. "This (PPR) is just temporary. If we were to implement rent-to-own, the problem is that more people are waiting to rent the units. So, our current policy is rental only," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) during the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Bung Moktar had asked what steps the state government is taking to address the issue of residents unable to own homes due to the high property prices in Sabah. He said expensive housing makes it difficult for low-income residents to purchase homes, forcing many to continue renting PPR units without any opportunity to own them via a rent-to-own scheme. Dr Joachim, who is also Sabah local government and housing minister, said the federal government provides PPR homes in Sabah solely for rental purposes, with no decision yet made to convert them into rent-to-own units. "Perhaps the honourable member for Lamag (Bung Moktar) could raise the matter again in Parliament," he told the Kinabatangan MP. Earlier, in response to the original question from Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan-Tanjung Aru) regarding residents of the Tanjung Aru Flats who were ordered to vacate due to the unsafe condition of the building, Dr Joachim said 237 out of 315 tenants had been offered placement in PPR units. "The ministry, through the implementing agency Lembaga Pembangunan Perumahan dan Bandar (LPPB), has offered PPR housing to all 237 eligible tenants out of the original 315. "A total of 58 were not offered PPR units as they did not meet the criteria under the Low-Cost Housing Allocation Policy, and 20 others already own a home registered under their name. "Out of the 237 eligible tenants, 113 have accepted the offer and been given PPR homes — 23 in Taman Jaya Diri, 30 in Taman Bukit Setia, 25 in Taman Puri Warisan, five in Taman Sri Anak, 23 in PPR Kibabaig Penampang, two in PPT Gayang 2 Tuaran, two in Taman Keramat Putatan, and three in Taman Serigai Putatan." He added that 124 tenants declined the offer due to the location being far from their workplaces, children's schools or hospitals.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
High prices in Sabah make home ownership tough, Bung tells state assembly
KOTA KINABALU: The soaring cost of homes in Sabah, higher than in other states in Malaysia, is making it increasingly difficult for many locals to own property, the state assembly heard. Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) said the situation has left many civil servants and citizens frustrated. 'Are we aware that affordable housing is severely lacking in Sabah?" he said during question time on Monday (July 7). "Property prices here are among the highest in the country. "This needs to be reviewed by the (state Local Government and Housing) Ministry." ALSO READ: Some tenants of Tg Aru flats said no to relocation offers, Sabah assembly told He said rising public complaints reflected the seriousness of the situation, especially among the lower- and middle-income groups. In a supplementary question to Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, he also highlighted the overwhelming demand for units under the People's Housing Project (PPR). "These homes should ideally be rented for a short period, say three years, before the occupants transition to owning their own homes. 'Does the government have any mechanism or long-term plan for this? Many have been renting for years with no opportunity to own," he said, proposing that the model be changed to a rent-to-own mechanism. To this, Dr Gunsalam replied that the current policy only allows PPR rentals as a temporary relief measure and any changes must come from Putrajaya, as the project is under the Federal Government's jurisdiction.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Some tenants of Tg Aru flats said no to relocation offers, Sabah assembly told
KOTA KINABALU: Renters of the Tanjung Aru low-cost flats have been advised to search for alternative housing if they reject relocation offers or are not eligible for further People's Housing Project (PPR) units. Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said that after the eviction notices were served, relocation offers were given to 237 of the 315 tenants there. ALSO READ: Tanjung Aru flat residents face eviction deadline amid hopes for extension He said 58 households were not offered PPR homes because they did not meet the terms and conditions, while 20 others already own homes under their names. He added that 113 of the 237 offered PPR homes had accepted them. The remaining 124 households rejected the offers as they felt that they would be too far from workplaces, children's schools, or hospitals, Gunsalam told Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan-Tanjung Aru) during question time in the state assembly here on Monday (July 7). 'For those who reject the offers, and those who are not eligible to dwell in PPR homes, we suggest that they find alternative homes,' he said. ALSO READ: Tanjung Aru low-cost flat residents shocked over eviction announcement Wong said 56 units of the dilapidated Tanjung Aru flats were still occupied, even without a proper water and electricity supply. 'I have sent multiple requests to the Land and Property Development Corporation (LPPB) to have a meeting to discuss and find a solution to this matter but have yet to receive any response,' he said. Gunsalam said he was willing to meet up with Wong and LPPB representatives to discuss the matter. On a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Lamag) as to whether the state would change the PPR policy of temporary rental to a "rent-to-own" mechanism, Gunsalam said it was a matter for the Federal Government. ALSO READ: Sabah Umno urges housing board to discuss evictions with Tg Aru flat residents He said PPR homes were under Putrajaya's jurisdiction, but noted that the waiting list of applicants would get even longer if the rent-to-own mechanism were adopted. Earlier, Bung Moktar said that Sabah properties have been listed as among the most expensive in the country. The Tanjung Aru flats are on prime land and part of the proposed Tanjung Aru Eco Development Project, which incorporates various high-end facilities. Originally given until the end of 2021 to move, some residents have stayed put while the state government deliberates on the redevelopment project's future.
