SIBU: A meeting will be held with the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) in Kuching tomorrow (Feb 20) to discuss affordable housing schemes for the low-income group affected by the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek said.
“Affordable housing is needed to resolve the housing issue in the area once the redevelopment plan kicks off. The people, especially those who have migrated from the rural areas, have been renting homes at an average rental of RM300 a month,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bukit Assek branch open house attended by 1,800 people here last night (Feb 18).
Previously, it was reported that the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan, involving around 500 acres of land, will affect a total of 2,000 houses.
However, half of the houses were abandoned due to flash floods and poor soil conditions, while some were rented out to rural-urban migrants.
Meanwhile, on his open house, he said he had decided not to have it on the first day of the lunar new year.
“I am having it this evening (Feb 18) so that more people can come, and I can explain to them the Bukit Assek Development Master Plan,” he added.
Asked about his expectations for 2024, Chieng said that the Dragon Year would be a good year for Sarawak.
“Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has said that the state is in progress of taking back the Bintulu Port this year.
“Then we will also have our own airline with the acquisition of MASwing, which is expected to be in the third quarter of this year.
“It is important to have our own airline as Sarawakians who are either working or studying in West Malaysia have to pay for expensive airfare, especially during festive seasons, or cannot get a ticket to fly home,” he said.
Among others present were SUPP Bukit Assek branch chairman Datuk Chieng Buong Toon, SUPP Pelawan branch chairman Clarence Ting and SUPP Nangka branch chairman Chua Beng Seng.
