TAWAU: A proposed People’s Housing Project (PPR) involving 1,000 residential units in the Apas constituency is currently in the approval process, after being submitted in 2023, and is expected to be included in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Apas Assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the approval is crucial, as the project is expected to benefit up to 5,000 local residents once completed.
“The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), in collaboration with the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT), visited the proposed site in the Apas area last year,” he said after distributing humanitarian aid to fire victims at Batu 4, Jalan Apas, on Friday.
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Nizam, who personally submitted the proposal, noted that Apas is one of Sabah’s fire-prone areas, where repeated incidents have left residents homeless.
“Hopefully, this project will be listed as a 13MP agenda item and receive budget approval, as it would also help tackle the squatter settlement problem along the Apas coastline,” he said.
He added that such developments are vital for creating a safer, more organised and comfortable living environment, in contrast to the high-risk conditions in densely packed squatter areas.
Nizam also expressed confidence in the State Government’s understanding of the housing challenges in Apas, and called for more public housing projects in the area or nearby Tawau township.
“This is particularly important for squatter residents living in homes that are tightly clustered and highly vulnerable to fires,” he added.
On humanitarian aid, Nizam said assistance was channeled through the Sabah Welfare Foundation (YKS) and the State Internal Affairs and Research Office, benefitting fire victims from two separate incidents in Batu 4, Jalan Apas.
The recipients included 10 heads of households (KIR) from Jambatan Cempaka, Kampung Hidayat, and 30 KIR from Kampung Kurnia Jaya.
