BETONG: As of August 2025, a total of 25,228 longhouse units have been approved for construction under the Longhouse Loan Scheme.
These involve 1,174 projects with total loans amounting to RM481.45 million.
Balingian Assemblyman and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Sarawak’s Chairman, Abdul Yakub Arbi, said that since its introduction in 1978, the scheme had brought significant benefits to longhouse communities across the state.
He also said that the scheme is a long-term government initiative to ensure that longhouse communities enjoy more comfortable, safe and durable homes while preserving their inherited cultural heritage.
“The randau programme held throughout Sarawak this year aims to raise awareness on the importance of loan repayment, introduce the latest payment methods and share information about the fire insurance facilities offered by HDC,” he said.
He said this while officiating at the ‘Randau Programme with Tuai Rumah (longhouse chiefs) and Borrowers’ at Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall, Betong, on Wednesday.
In addition, new payment methods such as Jompay, Sarawak Pay, Service Sarawak, CIMB CDM machines, as well as kiosks at Urban Transformation Centres (UTC) and Rural Transformation Centres (RTC), were also introduced to make it more convenient and flexible for borrowers to make payments.
The programme also featured dialogue and randau (conversation in Iban) sessions between HDC officials, longhouse chiefs and borrowers, giving participants the opportunity to gain further clarification on the scheme’s terms, processes and benefits.
As a token of appreciation, seven longhouses received certificates of recognition for having the best loan repayment records.
