Homes for less fortunate in the pipeline

PLANS are in the pipeline to build low-cost houses for the less fortunate.

YB Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Religious Affairs, said this in response to YB Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman bin Uking, who asked about the housing assistance provided by the Islamic Religious Council and plans of developing Baitulmal owned-land for the benefit of those in the asnaf zakat, poor and destitute group.

Funds from the zakat collection would be used for the construction, which is part of the “Quick Win” project run by the Prime Minister’s Office, said the minister.

“To date, two blocks of terrace houses containing eight units have been built in Ban 5 in Kampong Mulaut.

“If the person owns a land, the house will be built on it, regardless of whether the status of the land is perpetuity or Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL).

“If they do not own any land, the house would be built on a government land.

“For those who fail to get any of these two benefits, the council will rent a house for them using zakat funds.”

Among the options for this are private-owned houses and temporary accommodations in Kampong Belimbing Subok, two barracks in Belait District, four houses in Kota Batu and Kuala Lurah and five terrace houses that were constructed for the temporary settlement of new converts in Kampong Semabat and Kampong Sibut, Temburong District.

The minister said the council was continuously making efforts to develop land.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin Online