KUCHING: The Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YAPEIM), in collaboration with the Santubong Service Centre, has recently completed the construction of a new home under the Sinar Lestari Programme for eKasih Heads of Households (KIR) in Santubong.
Valued at RM110,744.30, the project was handed over to a family in Kampung Pasir Pandak yesterday (Feb 10).
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that YAPEIM had made the construction of this house possible.
“Aside from YAPEIM, several other parties have also contributed to this process.
“In Sarawak’s dialect, there is a term called ‘nyangkong’, which means helping or covering for shortcomings. I’m not sure how to explain it in other languages. The concept of ‘nyangkong’ is about complementing existing needs.
“Thanks to this, the family can now move in anytime. We also acknowledge the government’s efforts through YAPEIM to ensure that those in need of homes can return to their residences,” she said when speaking to reporters after the handover of the new house under the Sinar Lestari YAPEIM programme at Kampung Pasir Pandak yesterday (Feb 10).
Nancy further commented on the ongoing assistance, saying that she had been helping not as a representative of the ministry but as an elected official in the area.
“We’ve worked with the Sarawak State Federal Development Office (SDO) and received a grant of RM40,000 through them.
“In Sarawak, we say we ‘nyangkong’ to ensure that this aid reaches those who need it,” she said.
Meanwhile, YAPEIM’s Board of Trustees chairman Abdul Khudus Mohd Naaim said that three programmes were presented yesterday (Feb 10), the first being Sinar Kasih, which provides RM200 per month to families who have lost their breadwinners.
“The Sinar Lestari programme, focused on home construction, offers homes valued at RM80,000, with additional funding from corporate partners.
“Thirdly, we recently presented another Sinar Kasih initiative valued at RM80,000, supplemented by an additional RM40,000 from the Santubong Parliament, provided by Datuk Seri Nancy, bringing the total to RM130,000.
“This is a continuous programme by YAPEIM. This year alone, we have allocated RM4,000,000 for the Sinar Kasih and Sinar Lestari programmes, which include RM30,000 for residential home construction and RM20,000 for business premises, including repairs and upgrades,” he said.
Additionally, YAPEIM also supports small businesses through an entrepreneurship scheme, providing RM3,000 in business assistance.
“The homeowner has purchased a sewing machine as she has the skills to sew clothes and other items. We hope that with this assistance, the family can generate a steady income to support themselves and live comfortably,” he said.
Abdul Khudus emphasised that YAPEIM’s overarching goal is to assist low-income families and B40 groups in becoming self-sufficient.
Looking ahead, YAPEIM plans to allocate RM35 million this year for entrepreneurship programmes, aiming to empower small business owners.
“When we provide additional assistance to further strengthen and stabilise their businesses, the success rate can reach 80 per cent.
“This is an effort that we believe can help the community, alongside the initiatives promoted by the MADANI government to ensure that those at the lower income level are supported and can achieve financial independence,” he said.
