KOTA KINABALU: The Housing and Town Development Authority plans to build low-cost houses in Sukau New Township, said Assistant Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Zakaria Edris.

In a response to a question by Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman at the State Legislative Assembly, Zakaria said a 35-acre site has been identified to develop a housing in the new township as stated in the Sukau New Township's Proposal Plan.

"The proposal for the low-cost housing will be submitted in the 11th Malaysia Plan's Half Term Study and it will be coordinated with development programmes by other government department or agencies in the new township," he said during the question and answer session, Monday.

He added, the government welcomed any low cost or affordable public housing development in the new township, as well as the involvement of other related agencies like the Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB), 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) and 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing Programme (PPA1M).

"Any proposal of such development in the area can be submitted to the ministry for consideration and approval.

"The Housing and Town Development Authority is planning to build affordable housing with the cooperation of a private developer and hopefully it will be implemented soon," he said.