SIBU: Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman Wong Ching Yong has demanded an update on the long-delayed Seduan PPR (Program Perumahan Rakyat) low cost housing project in Sibu Jaya here.
He wants to hear from either the contractor responsible or the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
“The relevant parties had previously informed Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian that the project was expected to be completed by April this year. However, it is now nearing the end of May, and both parties must explain the progress to Dr Sim.
“Seduan PPR project is an initiative by the federal government to provide low cost housing scheme for B40 low-income group.
“The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by the then federal Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, on Sept 17, 2020,” he told a press conference here today (May 27).
Wong who is also the chairman of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch, said the project consists of 461 single-storey terrace houses, with five units allocated for the disabled, and other amenities such as a surau for 100 persons, a childcare centre, kindergarten and children’s playground.
He said construction of it is undertaken by a company at a contract sum of RM88,220,156.
According to the initial announcement during the groundbreaking ceremony, he said it was supposed to be completed by October last year.
“Zuraida had stated that KPKT intended to make Seduan PPR a model of management for similar programmes in the country. She also emphasised that strict supervision would be carried out during the construction. However, there has been no further communication regarding the completion of the project.
“On my recent visits to the site, the gate of the entrance was locked . Even when I dialled the contractor’s contact number provided on the construction signboard, nobody answered the calls. Based on satellite images, it can be inferred that the project is incomplete and believed to be in a state of suspension,” he said.
He stated that SRDC has not received any occupancy permit applications from the housing programme thus far.
Therefore, he urged the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government to disclose how many sale and purchase agreements had been signed for the said project in Sibu Jaya.
“Is the construction still ongoing? Has the Sarawak Ministry of Housing and Local Government or the Housing Development Board been informed about the further delay in completion, and have they received a reasonable explanation?
“What follow-up measures will be taken by the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government? It is hoped that the relevant parties will provide an explanation as soon as possible,” Wong added.
