Sabah developers may soon have to alllocate 30% to low-cost houses

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 25): Housing developers in Sabah may soon be required to allocate 30% of their houses in new housing schemes for low cost houses, said State Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Hajiji Noor.

He said the move was to help ensure that the low-income group could afford to buy houses in urban areas.

"In fact this policy is nothing new. It has been in force in Peninsular Malaysia for some time and found to be effective in helping the low income group own houses," he said in his winding-up speech on his ministry for the 2012 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly Meeting, here on Wednesday.

Realising the fact that the cost of houses in Sabah's major towns has risen, which makes it increasingly difficult for the low-income grouP to own houses, Hajiji said the ministry through the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) would build more low-cost and affordable houses in the major towns.

"The effort of LPPB will be complemented by federal agencies such as the National Housing Department and the National Housing Company," he said.

Hajiji said his ministry through LPPB would build 13 new townships under the 10th Malaysia Plan at a cost of RM26 million.

He said the new townships would be in Kemabong, Pitas, Tungku, Tandek, Pagalungan, Paitan, Melalap, Sindumin, Kalabakan, Nabawan, Sukau, Beluran and Tongod.

Hajiji also announced that LPPB would build 200 units of affordable houses at Mile 32, Sandakan where a new township for Ulu Dusun is also being planned. — Bernama