A representative of a developer explains some features of their project to Dr Sim (second right) as Ngui (left) and Sheda advisor Troy Yaw (right) look on.

BINTULU: Property development must go beyond building houses and infrastructure as the developers and residents in the estates should strive to nurture a healthy and safe community in their area.

Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said often people do not know their neighbours and do not take time to interact with each other.

This had led to cases where thieves entered a house and carted away all the furniture and valuables in broad daylight without their neighbours raising alarm as they thought the victims were moving house, he said when officiating at the opening of the 2018 Sheda Home and Property Roadshow at Bintulu Commerce Square Mall yesterday.

“We want the best of Sarawak lifestyle in which we look after each other, having religious harmony and live in peace,” he said.

He added homes with all the modern living comforts are not enough to ensure a happy life as the occupants must also be healthy.

“It is important to stay healthy so that you get to enjoy what you have planned and what you are going to do,” he said.

Sarawak government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has made housing a top priority, Dr Sim said.

He added that he had held a series of discussions with the chief minister on housing issues and the local government is making good progress on several areas.

Among the issues brought up during the discussions were the Sri Pertiwi Affordable Housing programme and Sarawak’s low cost housing programme.

“I am still exploring and hopefully we will come up with the definite guidelines by next year,” he said. Dr sim added that the chief minister is pursuing financial and political autonomy for Sarawak to implement these programmes independently.

“To achieve this, Sarawakians must remain stable and be united.

“Arguing about the past is for academicians and historians, what we are interested is how we are making progress to move forward,” he added.

Dr Sim said once Sarawak’s Gross Domestic Product grows it can get the Borneo Housing and Mutiara finance to do a lot more on funding housing projects for the people.

“Housing is important, every Sarawakian should have a house, we need to work with all the property developers to achieve our objective,” he said

He urged Sheda members to remain united and make sure all developers join them so that they can be monitored and be tied to the association’s guidelines.

Dr Sim referred to cases brought up by house buyers to the Sarawak Housing Tribunal to settle disputes with developers over the properties they bought.