Kota Kinabalu: As of October last year, a total of 4,482 Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) units have been built since the initiative was launched in 2022, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He stated that this year, an additional 3,000 Rumah Mesra SMJ units will be constructed across all 73 state constituencies with a budget allocation of RM250 million.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, apart from the construction of low-cost housing projects and affordable public housing, the government is also continuing the development of Rumah Mesra SMJ. This was announced at the launching ceremony of the Sabah People’s Housing Scheme (SRRS) where the text of Hajiji’s speech was read out by Sabah Assistant Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Isnin Aliasnih.

Hajiji emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring that all people, particularly those in the low and middle-income groups, have access to comfortable homes. The Chief Minister highlighted that the SRRS will benefit approximately 10,000 eligible individuals, providing them the opportunity to purchase their first home in a major city location, with a selling price not exceeding RM500,000 and simplified entry requirements.

He added that the launch of SRRS marks a significant milestone in the state government’s efforts to drive economic development while also increasing homeownership among Sabahans. The initiative aligns with the government’s goal to ensure every citizen in the state has access to homeownership. Given the rising cost of living, many people are encountering challenges in owning a home, particularly in major urban centers like Kota Kinabalu.

Hajiji further explained that property development plays a crucial role in stimulating economic multiplier effects and the entire market supply chain. The planning, construction, and sales processes create economic activities that positively impact sectors such as construction, finance, retail, transportation, and technology.