KUALA NERUS: The Terengganu government finally breathed a sigh of relief after the Pulau Redang low-cost flats near here were completed after more than 10 years of construction.
Mentri Besari Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (pic) said the construction was started by the previous government in April 2012, and was completed at a total cost of RM28mil.
According to him, the housing project took a long time due to various factors including finances, as well as delays following the movement control order (MCO) due to the pandemic Covid-19.
"The four five-storey blocks of flats, initially comprised 750 square feet units according to the old specification, but it was improved to 800 square feet. We hope it can provide comfort to the residents,” he told reporters after the handing over of keys.
According to Ahmad Samsuri, the project became one of the priorities of the state government when it took over in 2018.
Meanwhile, a recipient, Shaviri Shafee, 38, expressed his gratitude as his wish to own a house finally came true. Shaviri, his wife and three children previously lived in the family house with his mother and three other married siblings.
"Even though it was uncomfortable, as an employee at a resort on Pulau Redang I had to be patient because I had no other choice. Imagine 12 people in a house that only has three rooms,” he told reporters when met at the event today.
Another 27-year-old recipient, Alhamad Arif Ahmad Zuki said he and his wife Nor Amira Maulad, 27, had various plans to furnish their new home that they will live in with their two children.
"Previously, we stayed in the same house as my parents, a younger sibling and my aunt with her three grown-up children. It was uncomfortable,” he added. - Bernama
