DEWAN RAKYAT NEWS IN BRIEF: FEB 5

14,921 AFFORDABLE HOMES APPROVED IN SARAWAK UNTIL SEPT 2024 – KPKT

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- A total of 14,921 affordable homes (RMM) have been approved in Sarawak as of Sept 30, Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said.

Of the approved units, she said 4,566 have been completed, 7,703 are currently under construction, and the remaining 2,652 are still in the planning phase.

“The affordable housing initiatives in Sarawak also include 12 projects under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) or People’s Residency Programme (PRR) targeted at the B40 group, providing 5,452 homes,” she said in reply to Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman anak Begri (GPS-Betong) regarding the ministry's efforts to address affordable housing issues for low-income groups in Sarawak during the oral  question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She further said that although the MyHome programme has been discontinued, housing subsidies continue under the i-Biaya initiative, which guarantees financing through the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP).

This initiative has already approved 1,881 housing loan applications in Sarawak.

-- BERNAMA

RM57,388 ALLOCATED FOR KEMAS NURSERIES, PRESCHOOLS IN NEGERI SEMBILAN – KKDW

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) --The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) has allocated RM57,388 this year to meet the needs of children's nurseries and preschools under the Community Development Department (Kemas) in Negeri Sembilan.

Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the funds will be used to provide furniture, electrical equipment, and other essential supplies.

She added that in 2024, Kemas Negeri Sembilan received an additional RM347,000 under the Early Childhood Education Digital Transformation initiative. This allocation is specifically for the provision of digital tools, including Smartboards and LCD projectors.

Rubiah said this in response to a question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) during the oral question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The question concerned the ministry’s efforts to replace outdated equipment and facilities in Kemas classrooms, as well as the establishment of preschools for children with special needs.

-- BERNAMA