“Around the world, public confidence in leadership is eroding, a result of inconsistent governance and ethical compromises. Trust cannot be demanded; it must be earned through accountability, transparency, and ethical responsibility.”
– Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
IN a world where the dream of owning a home is slipping out of reach for many young people, Sarawak is charting its own bold course. Under the visionary leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the GPS government is not just talking about housing affordability – it is delivering it.
The Premier’s latest move of approving a dedicated housing project in Kampung Teku, Sibu, specifically for newlyweds, is more than a brick-and-mortar development. It is a tangible gesture of his foresight and political will. It signals that Sarawak’s future is one where young couples need not abandon their dreams of homeownership at the altar of rising costs and unrealistic expectations.
This is leadership that listens and acts. Since he became Premier in 2017, the state has witnessed an unprecedented string of people-oriented policies and initiatives. From free tertiary education to be introduced in 2026, to strategic economic development under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, to green energy investments and digital transformation, the GPS-led government has maintained its laser focus on inclusivity.
But perhaps no initiative echoes more with the everyday hopes of Sarawakians than the housing policies aimed at easing the burden on young couples and first-time buyers.
Back in November 2021, the Premier unveiled the Sarawak Housing Deposit Aid Scheme – a forward-thinking policy that pledged up to RM10,000 in deposit assistance for homes priced at RM300,000 and below. Aimed squarely at newly married couples, the scheme was a game-changer for young adults just beginning their journey into family life.
True to his words, Abang Jo has followed through. On April 5, during a working visit to Sibu, he gave the green light for a dedicated housing project in Kampung Teku – a proposal championed by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, the Nangka assemblyman.
The Premier’s response was refreshingly direct: “This is the first time I’ve heard the term ‘pasangan muda’ (young couples) used in reference to the Kampung Teku housing project – but no problem, we will proceed with the housing development.”
That “no problem” reveals much about his leadership style – practical, unflinching and unpretentious.
For many young Sarawakians, especially newlyweds, the housing landscape has felt increasingly hostile. Skyrocketing property prices, high mortgage rates, restrictive loan approvals, and a construction market skewed towards luxury developments have made homeownership feel like a distant dream.
It’s not just about money, it’s about mindset. Somewhere along the way, society has redefined what a “starter home” should look like. The humble, practical first house – once a rite of passage – has been replaced by unrealistic expectations of marble floors, open-concept kitchens, and oversized living rooms.
Our grandparents or parents didn’t expect luxury. Their first homes were functional, modest and affordable. Over time, they upgraded; a process that allowed for financial growth and long-term planning. Today, however, many young couples feel pressured to start their lives in homes that were once considered aspirational.
This mindset has real-world consequences. Builders are incentivised to construct larger houses to justify high land costs. Smaller, more affordable homes become economically unfeasible to develop. Land prices soar, and diversity in housing stock disappears. The result? Fewer entry points for first-time buyers.
If we are serious about restoring homeownership as an achievable goal for young families, we must shift the conversation, both culturally and economically.
Young buyers need to embrace the idea that a first home doesn’t need to be perfect – just purposeful. Likewise, developers must be encouraged, or even mandated, to build smaller, more efficient homes specifically for new families.
In this context, the Kampung Teku project is more than just a housing development. It is a reset button. A deliberate, government-led intervention that challenges the status quo of the housing market.
Abang Johari and the GPS government are saying: let us reimagine homeownership, not as a luxury, but as a right.
Beyond Sibu, the Sarawak government has unveiled a broader strategy to make homeownership accessible across the state. One standout initiative allows eligible families to purchase homes valued at RM300,000 for as little as RM120,000 which is a staggering 60 per cent reduction.
How is this possible? Simple, the GPS government has committed to absorbing the costs of infrastructure – land embankments, utilities, drainage, and road construction. These hidden but substantial expenses are often passed on to the buyer. By removing them from the price equation, the government is recalibrating the housing economy.
As the Premier explained during a townhall in January this year marking his eighth anniversary in office, these homes are no less valuable in commercial terms. But the state is subsidising the gap because housing, to his government, is not a commodity. It is a community investment.
Further support comes via Mutiara Mortgage and Finance, offering financing for homes priced between RM120,000 and RM250,000. Buyers also benefit from a dramatically reduced land premium – only RM2,500 – and the RM10,000 deposit subsidy for eligible applicants.
This means young couples can own a decent three-bedroom home which is enough for a growing family without being crippled by debt. Unlike some housing policies that remain trapped in the pages of manifestos, Sarawak’s initiatives are grounded in practical, measurable outcomes. There is intent, and there is execution.
The Teku project, in particular, recognises that young couples are not just statistics. They are the beating heart of tomorrow’s Sarawak. If they are denied the security and stability that homeownership brings, the social cost will far outweigh any investment in infrastructure.
There is something deeply symbolic and strategic in providing homes to those just starting their lives together. It fosters belonging, loyalty, and rootedness. It says to the young: you are not alone in this journey; your government walks with you.
At the heart of this initiative is a philosophy – that progress must be inclusive, and development must reach the doorstep of the rakyat. Whether it is in urban centres or kampungs, whether the focus is on digital innovation or physical infrastructure, the GPS government has stayed true to its ethos of equitable growth.
Allow me to set the record straight: Abang Johari’s leadership is marked not just by big ideas, but by their implementation! From green energy and carbon trading to hydrogen-powered transport and now, to affordable housing for young couples, and the vision is bold, but never disconnected from the people’s needs.
It is easy for politicians to promise affordable housing. It is much harder to redesign the ecosystem, absorb infrastructure costs, negotiate with financial institutions, and challenge societal mindsets. Abang Johari is doing all that – and more.
As Malaysia overall grapples with a nationwide housing affordability crisis, perhaps it is time for other states to look eastward for inspiration. Sarawak is not waiting for federal subsidies or empty rhetoric. It is building homes, building hope, and building a future – starting with its young couples.
And Kampung Teku may just be the beginning. If the dream of homeownership is to survive into the next generation, we need more than market forces and policy papers. We need the kind of leadership that sees beyond numbers – that understands a house is not just a structure, but a story waiting to unfold.
In Sarawak, under Abang Johari’s stewardship, that story is already being written.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at rajlira@gmail.com.
