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NABAWAN: Grassroots leaders have welcomed the State Government’s move to tighten the approval process and implementation of the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) free housing programme following public complaints regarding eligibility and distribution.

Mukim Pagalungan Native Chief Mohd Ridhwan Angayas said the proposal by Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang regarding applications for SMJ Rumah Mesra according to categories and no longer fully dependent on the e-Kasih database was well received by communities at the grassroots level.

“Since the SMJ Rumah Mesra were introduced by the State Government requiring applicants to be in the e-Kasih database, some people who should qualify for the housing assistance have been left out.

“This was because they were not registered in the e-Kasih database even though they qualified based on their difficult family circumstances,” he said. 

Mohd Ridhwan said although applicants must be registered in the e-Kasih database, other assessments need to be taken into account. 

“Evaluation should be made through documents submitted with the nominee’s application, such as marriage certificates for newlyweds, along with photographs of the house they currently occupy,” he said. 

For single mothers, he said, if their status is divorced, divorce certificates need to be examined and if their status is widowed, death certificates of their husbands must be included in the application.

He said the system and management for these free houses is very good because District Officers and Assistant District Officers make the right choices as all applications come from respective village development and security committee chairmen, with needs based on applicants’ eligibility.

“The involvement of grassroots leaders together with the District Office, Community Development Leader Unit and related departments is important in ensuring smooth implementation,” he added.

The move was recently announced by Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang who said the selection of recipients will no longer depend solely on the e-Kasih database.

Instead, final decisions will now be made by newly formed district-level committees, chaired by respective District Officers.

“In terms of eligibility, until now it has largely depended on e-Kasih data. Those approved under e-Kasih were given priority in the construction of Rumah Mesra SMJ,” Rubin, who is also Kemabong Assemblyman, was quoted as saying.

He said previously there was no comprehensive structure to determine recipient selection and ensure effective implementation.

The new committee will comprise the Community Development Leader, District Chief, Community Development Officer, as well as representatives from the Public Works Department, Land and Survey Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department and District Council.

“This committee will make approval decisions, supervise implementation and monitor projects,” Rubin was quoted as saying after delivering the Ministry’s New Year message recently. 

Under the revised system, applicants listed in the e-Kasih database will continue to be given priority, but those not yet registered can still apply through their respective assemblymen or community leaders to be brought to the committee.

Rubin also urged all district and sub-district offices to strengthen their respective data dashboards to facilitate planning and improve the quality of life of rural communities.

“This matter was discussed in a meeting on Wednesday. We will also consider the distance of houses from electrical substations and the nearest water supply network.

If the house is near existing infrastructure but has no electricity pole, we will install it. The same applies to water supply,” he said.

He said the construction cost of the SMJ Rumah Mesra will be reviewed due to increases in building material prices as well as logistics and transportation costs.

“The old cost is no longer relevant. Discussions will be held with the State Finance Minister and the State Economic Planning Unit regarding proposals for new cost settings for the SMJ Rumah Mesra,” he said.