BALINGIAN – Homeowners under Sarawak’s Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) will be able to extend their houses in the future using pre-approved designs provided by the Sarawak Housing Development Corporation (HDC), according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The approach is intended to allow homeowners greater flexibility to add living space as their family requirements and financial circumstances change, without having to begin the design and approval process from the start.
Abang Johari said HDC had prepared an additional house design that had already received approval from the relevant local authorities.
“HDC provides another design. If they are fortunate enough to enlarge their homes, there is already a design available and it has been approved by the local authorities,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Rumah Spektra Permata (RSP) SPK Balingian development site and taking part in a symbolic house key handover ceremony to new owners on Saturday.
The Premier said homeowners would retain the option of deciding whether and when to expand their properties, depending on their individual circumstances.
“If they want to expand further, build further, that is up to the house owner. But what is important is that we have our own building,” he said.
The pre-approved design concept forms part of a broader approach by the Sarawak Government to provide affordable housing that can accommodate changing household needs over the longer term.
Instead of treating a house as a fixed structure, the approach allows owners to consider future extensions once they have the financial capacity and a practical need for additional space.
Abang Johari said similar housing development approaches were also being implemented in other areas of Sarawak, including Dalat, Kabong, Santubong and Kampung Sambir.
The developments involve agencies including HDC and the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), reflecting the involvement of state housing and development agencies in expanding access to residential properties.
The Premier also said the SPK approach had evolved beyond simply making land lots available to eligible applicants.
Under the newer approach, entire residential areas are developed with basic amenities before houses are constructed, providing residents with a more complete housing environment.
In Balingian, the estimated total cost of each house, including the land, is about RM300,000.
However, eligible applicants are required to pay RM150,000, with the remaining RM150,000 effectively supported through state government assistance and financing arrangements.
The Sarawak Government is providing RM10,000 in deposit assistance, while the remaining RM140,000 can be financed through Mutiara Mortgage & Finance.
Applicants are understood to have monthly repayments of approximately RM200 to RM300, depending on factors including their age and the length of the financing period.
The financing structure is intended to reduce the immediate financial burden on lower-income applicants seeking to acquire both land and a home.
Abang Johari said the approach was aimed at making home ownership more accessible by reducing the amount applicants would otherwise have to bear for the full development cost.
The Balingian project currently has 22 RSP SPK housing units completed, while another 32 units are planned for implementation in the future.
The project forms part of wider state-level efforts to increase access to housing while incorporating basic infrastructure and facilities into residential development planning.
The use of approved designs for potential future extensions also provides homeowners with a clearer framework for adapting their properties, subject to applicable requirements and approvals.
Also present during the site visit and handover ceremony were Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Sarawak Attorney-General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi and Mukah Division Resident Bujang Rahman Seli, along with other officials and dignitaries. – Sarawak Daily
