PADAWAN – Seven houses under the Sarawak Poor House Improvement Programme (PPRMS) in the DUN Mambong area have been fully refurbished and officially handed over to their beneficiaries, local officials confirmed.
The renovation works were completed on Monday and cover properties in seven villages across the constituency. Two of the upgraded dwellings are in Kampung Bangau, while the other five are in Kampung Sikog, Kampung Bawang, Kampung Timurang, Kampung Annah Rais and Kampung Simuti.
A routine inspection of the projects was conducted by Special Administrative Officer to the Deputy Minister of Transport (Air & Road), Keron Mapus, who reviewed progress and quality to ensure the renovations meet the established standards and provide improved comfort to residents.
The PPRMS initiative forms part of a broader state and federal effort to raise living standards in rural Sarawak through targeted housing support.
Under similar schemes implemented elsewhere in the state this year, selected rural households receive financial allocations and minor structural upgrades to address urgent repair needs.
In the wider Mambong constituency, authorities have announced additional rounds of aid for rural dwellings, with a larger Phase 2 programme identifying 30 homes across 17 villages to receive PPRMS assistance for 2025.
That phase introduced a contractor selection process to accelerate delivery and ensure community consultation prior to works commencing.
Local administrators emphasised that the refurbished houses aim to provide safer and more habitable environments for vulnerable families, addressing issues such as roof repairs, flooring, sanitation and basic structural reinforcement. The upgrades are intended to reduce safety risks and enhance day-to-day living conditions for recipients.
Officials stressed that contractor engagement and homeowner consent remain integral to the project’s implementation.
In recent PPRMS drives elsewhere in Sarawak, each house under the scheme was allocated a fixed budget for repairs, and contractors were instructed to consult closely with occupants to align the works with household needs.
Community leaders welcomed the handovers, saying the renovations bring immediate relief and long-term benefits to families who previously lived in substandard conditions. Recipients expressed gratitude for the improvements, noting that safer roofs and repaired interiors will contribute to better health and security.
Authorities reiterated that PPRMS and related rural housing programmes form part of a strategic push to narrow the urban–rural divide in Sarawak, complementing infrastructure and social services investments set out in recent development plans.
Officials called for continued monitoring to ensure the durability of works and recommended replicating effective practices in future housing rounds.
Follow-up visits and routine maintenance checks will be scheduled to monitor the condition of the renovated units and to ensure beneficiaries receive the intended advantages from the upgrades.
