Kota Kinabalu: More hardcore poor and low-income Sabahan families are now enjoying their dream of having safe place to call their homes thanks to welfare initiatives spearheaded and rolled out by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government.
These families now have keys to their brand new homes, a roof for shelter come rain or shine for free through the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya Programme.
The programme has delivered over 4,540 completed homes since 2022, with a total of 5,000 units now standing throughout Sabah.
Additionally, the GRS Government doubled its housing budget to RM250 million this year to build 3,000 more units, with each constituency now getting 40 homes instead of 20 previously.
“For 2025, RM250 million has been allocated, an increase by 100 per cent, to construct 3,000 more Rumah SMJ units across Sabah,” Hajiji said.
Communities are already seeing the impact. In Sook, 120 families have moved into completed homes with 80 more units on the way. Putatan’s Tanjung Keramat has welcomed 61 families into their new residences, with another 40 homes being built.
Those who get the homes also receive jobs, giving them a way to earn and stand on their own feet.
“The GRS Government policies and programmes are planned to be people-centred to ensure every level of society benefits from the development being implemented,” Hajiji said.
For middle-income earners who do not qualify for free homes but struggle with market prices, the Sabah People’s Housing Scheme offers 10,000 homes priced below RM500,000 in key areas.
“The launch of this innovative housing scheme will transform the landscape of homeownership in the State,” he said.
The programme sweetens the deal with lower fixed interest rates, longer repayment periods, full financing and flexible payment plans through Sabah Credit Corporation.
The first project, Boulevard 360 Bundusan in Penampang, is already taking shape and undergoing construction.
In October, Hajiji announced an additional 10 Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) units in every state constituency starting next year, specifically for newly married young couples.
He said this would raise the total to 50 units per constituency in 2026 compared to 40 units this year.
“Previously, there were only four or five Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT) units, but this year we are providing 40 Rumah Mesra SMJ. Next year, we willincrease it to 50 units, with the additional 10 reserved for young couples who are struggling and still living with their families,” he said.
On top of housing, the Chief Minister also launched the Syukur 2025 programme on Feb 19, 2025 which is expected to benefit 100,000 people across the State.
The 2025 Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat programme puts RM300 monthly into the hands of 100,000 poor household heads for a year, offering important support for daily needs.
The aid targeted those in the eKasih system and was part of a broader effort to ease the financial burden on those in need.
Household heads whose income fall below the State’s poverty line of RM2,742 or are classified as hardcore poor with income below RM1, 218 could apply for the aid through the SMJ Secretariat portal.
The initiative, which carried a financial commitment of RM358.5 million, was designed to ensure Sabahans benefited from the State’s increased revenue.
“This is not a political handout, but a direct distribution of funds from increased state revenue,” Hajiji said, noting that there was no fee for opening a bank account.
“We are not asking people to line up to receive the aid. They need to register initially, but they’ll receive the aid directly into their accounts,” he added.
The aid is distributed in four phases throughout 2025. The first phase covering January to March began in February, followed by the second phase from April to June starting in April.
The third phase was held from July to September beginning in July, while the final phase covers October to December.
As of February alone, over 72,000 registered household heads in Sabah have started receiving the first phase of the RM300 cash aid from the Sentuhan Kasih Rakyat (Syukur) 2025 initiative.
The aid was credited directly to recipients’ bank accounts, streamlining the distribution process and ensuring transparency.
In a first for Malaysia, Sabah also now provides automatic free accident coverage for all 2.7 million residents aged 30 days to 80 years.
Launched in May, the Sabah Insurance three-year scheme pays out RM10, 000 for accidental death and up to RM20, 000 for permanent disability, with worldwide protection at no cost.
The RM50 million programme, implemented by Progressive Insurance Berhad, handles claims within 14 to 30 working days via its hotline and branches Statewide.
Healthcare has also improved through the SMJ Health Assistance Scheme (Sabah Sejahtera), which placed 100 dialysis machines worth RM4.5 million in 24 hospitals and one clinic.
Over 2,100 kidney patients now get free dialysis, with the State footing the RM8.5 million bill. Grassroots leaders have not been forgotten either. Every VillageDevelopment and Security Committees chairpersons’ allowances jumped from RM500 to RM800, while secretaries now get RM400, up from RM300.
State civil servants also enjoyed RM500 special aid each for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Kaamatan Festival in 2025.
“These initiatives are not about politics. They are about people,” said Hajiji.
“They are about recognising that every Sabahan deserves a fair chance at a better life whether that means a roof over their head, protection from life’s uncertainties, access to healthcare or simply a little extra help to get through tough times.”These various help programmes show the GRS government’s commitment to putting people first, building a more caring and prosperous Sabah for everyone.
This year, Hajiji said the State Government has allocated approximately RM50 million to assist villagers struggling to pay their electricity bills.
“This initiative is aimed at alleviating the burden of eligible villagers facing difficulties in paying their electricity bills.
“In addition, the State Government also provided RM300 annually to parents from hard-core poor families in the state,” he said.
Hajiji said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) which comprises of local parties is the first ruling party in Sabah which have carried out all these initiatives particularly the free insurance scheme and Syukur program, among others.
If given the mandate by the people to govern Sabah again on Nov 29, he pledged that GRS will do even more initiatives and policies that will benefit Sabah and the people apart from continue fighting for the 40 per cent net revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
