Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim has defended the progress of the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) housing programme, assuring the state assembly that the majority of homes under the scheme have been successfully built, with delays attributed mainly to labour shortages.

Jahid said 4,028 houses—or 90% of the 2022–2024 allocation—have been completed, while the remaining 454 units are still under construction. 

“For the 2025 quota, all are currently in the pre-implementation phase,” he said in his ministry’s winding up speech at state Assembly sitting in Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday. 

Responding specifically to issues raised by Lamag assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Jahid revealed that 51 units have been completed in the Lamag constituency alone. 

Claims of abandoned projects were unfounded, he said, adding that site visits with local officials confirmed work was ongoing, with an average construction progress of 80%.

 “The delays are due to a shortage of manpower from contractors,” he said, adding that the firms have pledged to expedite completion.

On eligibility concerns, Jahid stressed that only individuals meeting strict criteria—such as being registered under the e-Kasih poverty database, persons with disabilities, disaster victims, or residents of dilapidated homes—are selected. 

“If any recipient is later found to be unqualified, investigations will be carried out and action taken,” he said.

Jahid also clarified the selection process, noting that local assemblymen or community leaders first propose names, which are then vetted through site visits by e-Kasih officers and finalised in district-level focus groups.

As for construction methods, the minister said both conventional and industrialised building system (IBS) methods are allowed, depending on logistical and cost factors. He dismissed concerns over IBS durability, calling it “a proven and cost-effective modern alternative.”

In response to calls for expanding the MESEJ rural settlement programme in Silam, Jahid said the ministry is open to considering new sites based on suitability. 

He also rejected proposals to build Rumah Mesra units over water, citing past failures of similar schemes and safety risks.

Tanjung Papat’s proposal to allow stilted houses over rivers or seas was ruled out due to high costs and past cases of erosion-induced collapses. 

“The government cannot ignore safety and cost concerns,” he said.

Jahid acknowledged concerns from Merotai about houses built in flood-prone areas, admitting that site evaluations had missed the risks. 

“Going forward, improvements will be made to avoid a repeat of such issues,” he said.

To address complaints of unfinished homes and lack of utilities, he explained that the government now provides one extra power pole per home to bridge gaps in electricity supply. 

Water tanks are also provided to homes not yet connected to piped supply.

He emphasised that incomplete homes remain under implementation status and will not be paid out to contractors until completed. 

“Not all Rumah Mesra projects are problematic. Most have been successfully delivered,” Jahid said.

He also confirmed that construction costs were revised upward in 2023—from RM70,000 to RM80,000 for homes without stilts and RM85,000 for those with stilts—and said the ministry would review regional cost discrepancies between urban and rural projects. – April 16, 2025