The Sabah government has allocated RM4.8 million to implement an affordable rural housing initiative called Programme Rumah Sejahtera Rakyat (RSR) next year.

Rural Development Minister Ewon Benedick said the new programme had in fact already kicked off and 80 homes had been earmarked initially.

He said RSR involves providing housing in villages considered to be lagging behind others, especially those under the Kampung Sejahtera and Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej) programmes.

“The ministry will also continue its efforts to develop backward villages through the Kampung Sejahtera programme.

“In 2020, we aim to include another 10 villages in the programme,” Benedick said during his winding-up speech on the state budget today.

The Kadamaian assemblyman said the government has also allocated over RM124 million to his ministry for development expenditure.

He said most of the funds will be channelled towards uplifting the lives of people as well as weeding out poverty in rural areas.