Uncertainty over housing projects
KUCHING: Uncertainty over the many federal-funded affordable housing projects under the former federal govt helmed by Barisan Nasional (BN) proved to be a hurdle as state elected representatives re-organised and re-strategised their plans.
Santubong member of parliament (MP) Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has informed Kampung Bintawa Hilir residents, where two houses were razed by fire and left 13 people homeless recently, that he was unable to give any promises until the uncertainty over the programmes became clearer.
He disclosed this to the fire victims when he met them to present donations at the village here yesterday. He was accompanied by wife Datin Sri Feona Wan.
“We will discuss the next course of action (to help victims affected by disasters) but the problem now is that many state BN government programmes and projects planned previously could get stuck following the change in the political landscape after the recent general election,” he told reporters.
Wan Junaidi was referring to Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) project and Housing Programme for the Hardcore Poor (PPRT) under which the fire victims could apply to rebuild their homes.
“Previously we have RMR and PPRT but now we don’t know the status of these projects as we have yet to receive the guidelines from the new federal government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he said.
He was saddened by the misfortune that befell the three families, more so in this holy fasting month of Ramadan and with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration fast approaching.
“This is a once-a-year celebration in which everybody should be in jovial mood but sometimes such incident is unavoidable and the relevant authorities have yet to determine the cause of fire,” he said.
“Under the present political climate, I cannot give promises to the people due to the new federal government and whether PPRT and RMR will be continued or not. If continued and with the allocated quotas, we will help the fire victims apply,” he assured.
Earlier, he handed over donations of RM1,000 cash each to assist and lessen the burden of the three families affected by the fire.
Firefighters took about 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control which had engulfed two houses at 9pm on Wednesday.
The distance between both houses was about five metres, whereby, one of the affected houses had two sections with two families staying in it.
No casualties were reported in the incident.