Chief Minister Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said under the new financial model those in the middle-income bracket will purchase homes in housing projects financed by the state government.

“We want to introduce the financial model because previously when new housing projects were announced the financial allocation was from the federal government,” he said when launching the 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing (PPA1M) Melia Residences at Parkcity Eastwood, here today.

PPA1M Melia Residences at Parkcity Eastwood will have a total of 1,075 double-storey houses with a starting price of RM300,000, 30% cheaper than the market price, built by well-known property developer Pantai Bayu Sdn Bhd, a member of the Samling Group.

Abang Johari, who is also State Housing Minister, said due to bureaucratic and financial problems at the federal level, some housing projects that were earlier announced were either delayed or cancelled.

He said this had angered many first-time house owners as their dream of owning a house had been dashed by circumstances beyond the state government’s control.

Presently Abang Johari said, Sarawak had its own affordable housing programme called “Skim Perumahan Rakyat Khas” (Spektra) or Special Public Housing Scheme that was designed based on the geographical location of the housing project.

The Spektra programme is designed for those in the RM4,000 and below income bracket while Spektra Medium is targeted to those earning RM5,000 and below.

The price of the Spektra Lite and Medium categories has been set from RM100,000 to RM168,000 for terrace house and RM120,000 for flats.

Present at the function was Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa and Samling Group Executive chairman Yaw Chee Ming.