While Sarawak faces a shortage of houses costing RM300,000 and below, there is a glut of houses priced RM400,000 and above, says state housing and tourism minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said there was a lack of buyers for houses costing RM400,000 and above as banks were quite stringent in giving out loans, adding that banks no longer gave 90 per cent loans and were generally, sceptical whether buyers could pay back the loans.

"For that reason, the state government has to intervene into the market and is working with Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia to develop and construct high-quality housing for middle-income households.

"Recently, PR1MA Malaysia unveiled it Vista Perdana housing project in Miri, priced at only RM250,000 per unit," added Abang Johari.

(PR1MA homes come in various types and sizes and are priced between RM100,000 to RM400,000, and open to all Malaysians with a monthly household income of between RM2,500 and RM10,000).

Abang Johari was speaking to reporters after presenting his ministry’s contributions amounting to RM230,000 to 23 Chinese associations under the Federation of Kuching Division Community Association Sarawak, and another RM300,000 to SJK Chung Hua No 4, Jalan Nanas, Kuching to complete the construction of the school’s hall.

The amount (RM300,000) to SJK Chung Hua No 4 was in an addition to RM500,000 Abang Johari gave to the school last year.

He said the contributions showed the state government recognised Chinese education, as well as the Universal Examination Certificate (UEC) graduates, adding that the state civil service also accepted those with UEC.