7,950 applications approved under Sarawak Rental Assistance Scheme since 2021

A TOTAL of 7,950 applications have been approved under the Sarawak Rental Assistance Scheme (SRAS) from 2021 to September this year, involving a cumulative locked amount of RM52.4 million.

Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said Kuching recorded the most approvals at 4,972, followed by Bintulu (1,116), Sibu (757) and Miri (189).

Samarahan accounted for 88 approvals, Siburan six, Mukah two and Betong one.

The total also covers 625 students from higher education institutions and 194 Sarawak and federal civil servants occupying government quarters.

Dr Sim said this during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Tuesday (Oct 20).

He said the SRAS terms of reference were enhanced in April, raising the monthly household gross income eligibility limit from RM4,556 to RM5,504.

The maximum duration of assistance has also been extended from 36 months to 48 months, while coverage has been expanded to Siburan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong and Mukah.

Dr Sim said the scheme has also gone digital with the launch of SRAS Go-Live in August, an online platform for submitting and processing applications.

“This will significantly enhance the processing and approval applications as more districts will be included in future,” he said.

Meanwhile on the Longhouse Loan Scheme, Dr Sim said RM317.44 million in interest-free loans has been disbursed under the state allocation since 2020, benefiting 443 longhouses comprising 9,023 doors.

This year, the approval committee has cleared 66 longhouses comprising 1,310 doors, with a total loan value of RM61.38 million.

“Under the federal government allocation, RM204.59 million has been disbursed since 1978, benefiting 820 longhouses comprising 17,845 doors.

“For this year, 24 longhouses comprising 428 doors have been approved, with a total allocation of RM18.74 million,” he said.