Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has yet to consider implementing a rent-to-own scheme for People’s Housing Project (PPR) units in Sabah, said challenges due to the overwhelming demand for rental housing.
Deputy Chief Minister and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said the current policy remains rental-only, as converting these units to rent-to-own would reduce availability for others still on the waiting list.
“This PPR is a temporary measure. If we start offering rent-to-own, it could worsen the problem as many more people are still waiting to rent these units,” he said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He was responding to a supplementary question by Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who had asked if the government would consider new approaches to help low-income residents eventually own homes, especially amid the rising cost of housing in Sabah.
Bung Moktar pointed out that many residents remain stuck in long-term rentals due to the high property prices, and suggested the State work with federal agencies to offer a clearer pathway to home ownership.
In reply, Joachim said PPR housing in Sabah is provided by the Federal Government specifically for rental purposes, and there is currently no directive to shift towards a rent-to-own model.
“Perhaps the honourable member for Lamag could bring up this matter again in Parliament,” he said.
Earlier, Joachim addressed concerns raised by Tanjung Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong regarding the relocation of residents from the Tanjung Aru Flats, which were deemed unsafe.
He said 237 of the 315 tenants had been offered PPR housing under the Low-Cost Housing Allocation Policy, while 58 did not qualify and 20 were found to already own property.
Of those offered housing, 113 have accepted and been relocated to various PPR sites including Taman Jaya Diri, Taman Bukit Setia, Taman Puri Warisan, Taman Sri Anak, PPR Kibabaig, PPT Gayang 2, Taman Keramat, and Taman Serigai.
However, 124 tenants declined the offer due to distance concerns related to work, schools and healthcare facilities.
