172 affordable housing units under BDC approved for Lawas, Limbang – Abang Jo

THE Borneo Development Corporation ( Sarawak) Sdn Bhd ( BDC) has 172 approved affordable housing units under projects slated for 2016- 2017 to be implemented in Limbang Division. Of the total, 58 units are in Lawas and 114 units in Limbang.

Additionally, another 135 units under the same component for the division are still in the planning stage.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also the Housing and Urbanisation Minister, said in the last state cabinet reshuffle, BDC was placed under the purview of this ministry to strengthen delivery mechanism for public housing.

BDC – a government-linked company ( GLC) under State Financial Secretary Inc – has been playing a vital role in the development of affordable housing across the state since its inception.

“In complementing the government’s urban renewal agenda, BDC is also undertaking a number of initiatives in realising the new portfolio under my ministry, especially in infrastructure works,” he said, stating the proposed Lawas Commercial Complex as among the projects.

Closer to Kuching, BDC is currently developing the Serian New Township, which will take about 10 years to reach completion.

According to Abang Johari, these projects would enhance the scope of urbanisation in terms of providing more viable and wellplanned living environment in designated urban areas.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said as part of his ministry’s continuous effort in providing quality, business- friendly service to customers and at the same time, ensuring greater accountability and transparency in its dealing with the public, it had been running the Housing Development and Management System – known as HomeApps – since Feb 2016.

This Internet- enabled computerised system should enable housing developers to submit their applications for licensing and permits, as well as low- cost and affordable housing via online, he added.

“This system also enables the officers from the ministry to monitor private housing development more effectively as the submission of any project’s progress report is being done online.

“Lodgement of housing claims by buyers at the Housing Purchaser Claims Tribunal can also be done speedily at any time, and form any part in Sarawak.”

Abang Johari observed that through HomeApps, developers would be assured that their complete application for licensing and permits would be finalised within five working days – versus 15 working days previously under the manual system.

“To date, my ministry has achieved a 100 per cent success via HomeApps in compliance to our client’s charter,” he said.