Rakan Sarawak Year 1998

           There are many reasons why people buy houses, and some of the reasons include for investment or specilative purpose, and as status symbols.
            But for the majority of the public, one prominent reason of all remains, that is, they buy houses to have homes to return to, live in and call their very own.
            Realising the dreams of the rakyat in owning a house and this having a home is the most important goal of the Sarawak Housing and Development Comission (SHDC).
            However, SHDC goes beyond just building basic public amenities/facilities such as community halls, places of worhips, kindergartens and shophouses to privide a certain level of self-sufficiency, and convenience within the vicinity of these homes; and subsequently creates caring community living and enhances neighbourly spirit.
            The SHDC is established in November 1971 and comes under the scope of the Ministry of Housing.
            The present SHDC's Chief Executive Officer is Encik Abdul Hamid Bin Mohd Yusoff who spearheads SHDC's mission to build quality homes for the people, especially the low income and medium-low income sectors in the state, as well as guides its vision of becoming the top state public housing by being a proactive organisation producing quality products and staff.

to provide lower income and middle income housing and related service. Eligibity criteria for low cost and medium-low cost houses is based on housing guidelines introduce by the State government in October 1996 (refer to Table 1).
to provide housing loans which are applicable for SHDC houses only.
to provide assistance in nurturing a caring and cohesive bintang kecil, festive celebration motivational caurse, and so forth.
to provide both basic shelter and good housing environment for the poor.

            SHDC's projects are categorised into three zones, i.e., Southern Zone covering Kuching and Samarahan divisions; Central Zone covering Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit divisions; and Northen Zone covering Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions.
            According to Encik Abdul Hamid, SHDC can be cosidered to play a role as a catalyst for other social and commercial developments in the State.
            This could be seen in the growth and expansion of amenities such as schools, shops and light industries around and along SHDC's housing development projects throughtout the State.
            In addition to the above functions, SHDC has implemented several houisng programmes to further assist the people in owning a hiome. These programmes/schemes are as follows:

          1.    People's Housing Scheme
                      SHDC develops housing projects from the beginning to end, encompassing site identification, construction, house completion and approval of loans to selected candidates.
          2.    Site and Services Scheme
                      SHDC prepares complete site with infrastructural work such as roads, electricity and water supply services, except for the building itself. Loans of RM10,000 (max.) is given for purchase of an mepty lot, and RM13,000 (max.) is given for building of house.
          3.    Loans to Individuals Scheme
                      SHDC provides loan of RM10,000 (max.) in the form of building materials under the Block Alienation Scheme from Land and Survey Department.
          4.    Longhouse Loan Scheme
                      Scheme is devided into two types :
                        (a)    SHDC designs and constructs longhouses, and provides loans of RM10,000 (max.), or
                        (b)    SHDC provides loans of RM5,000 (max.) for the repairs or renovations of housing units.
          5.    Shophouse Scheme
                      SHDC builds shop-houses based on the needs of residents its housing schemes.
          6.    Resettlement Scheme
                      SHDC constructs houses in areas allocated by the State Government fo the resettlement of dwellers whose lands are acquired for development purpose.
          7.    Environment Improvement Scheme
                      SHDC assists in the beautification of the invironment and surrounding of its projects, e.g., through landscaping activities and planning like the Neighbourhood Beautification Scheme.

                        A survey conducted in 1994 by SHDC, with assistance from University Sains Malaysia, showed that low cost housing demand was 84,000 units until the year 2000.
                        A year later, in 1995, SHDC carried out open caunter registration exercises in the major towns of the State and found that low cost houisng demand has increased by about 8.5%, bringing the numbers of units to 91,126.
                        Statistics too revealed that from 1993 to 2000, SHDC project performance has shot up rapidly with an average of 4,361 housing units built per year, a tremendous jump of 889.2%, to cope with the constant burgeoning needs of people.
                        An effective method of SHDC in meeting demands and speeding up projects for low cost and medium cost houses is by appointing efficient and reliable turnkry contractors with sound financial background to deliver houses faster without any compromise on quality.
                        Up till today, the overall number of houses built by SHDC encompasses walk-up flats or apartments, quadruplex units, single and and duble-strorey terraced, semi-detached, detached houses with costs ranging from low, medium-low, medium to high end.
                        For those interested in commerce, there are shophouses built by SHDC near its housing development projects to choose from and start a business.
                        The low cost housing developments projects by SHDC are funded and subsidised by the Federal and State government in the forms of loan and grant for land, infrastructure and building.
                        To this effect, the support, commitment and cooperation from Federal and State Governments, related agencies and departments are crucial for the success of SHDC's housing development programmes, especially in terms of the following factors:

continous and adequate funding from both the Federal and Sarawak State governments,
speedy planning approval from the State Planning Authority and Land & Survey Department,
speedy approval of relevant plans from the relevants authorities such as Council, Fire & Rescue Department, and so on,
speedy issuance of OPs by the local authorities,
speedy issuance of Individual Land Title by the Land & Survey Department, and
availability of suitable land

With the approach of a new millenium, SHDC is continuing to seek new and innovative ways of enuring that dreams become realities for the people. In essence, owning a home and belonging to a community with the latest technologies, methods and designs while maintaining emphasis on quality and affordability. The Sarawak Housing and Development Commission aims to cater and care fot the betterment of the rakyat's life.

                         Encik Hafizuddin Abdullah is 29 years old and oriinally comes from Daro.
                        He has been working as a Vehicle Examiner in Puspakom for the past 6 years.
                        In 1995, he applied for a house with Sarawak Housing and Development Commission (SHDC).
                        His application became a reality when he, his wife, Puan Azian Bte Amjah, and two children, moved into their very own home in Sibu Jaya Township, Sibu, in November 1997.
                        The home purchased by Encik Hafizuddin is a medium-low cost, single storey terraced house with three bedrooms and built up floor area of 645 sq. ft., costing RM53,000.
                        After the anitial down payment, he patys the bank a monthly loan repayment of RM370 per month for 25 years at 9% interest per annum.
                        The main reason why he opted for a bank loan instead of governmen loans is because the bank loan processed much faster, with approval within a month's time; whereas federal or state government loans take between three to six months period, especially with regards to federal government loan.
                        Encik Hafizuddin is more than pleased with his come and the amenities available in Sibu Jaya which includes a community hall, tadika, surau and an apen air dry and wet market.
                        A primary scholl, funded by the Board of Management, has set up its facility there, and started classes in January 1999. It currently has a total of 422 registered students, and more is expected to join as residents continue to move into Sibu Jaya Township.