Low cost must not mean low quality, says Pahang Sultan on Ru'RASA homes

KUANTAN: The Al-Sultan Abdullah People's Housing (Ru'RASA) project must prioritise quality despite its low construction cost, as the homes are meant to provide a safe and comfortable sanctuary for families, the Sultan of Pahang said.

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah reminded those responsible for constructing the units not to carry out the work haphazardly.

"I hope efforts to build the housing projects can be expedited. Although the construction cost may appear low, the work must never be taken for granted… I want a certain level of quality to be maintained.

"Do not take it lightly because I consider these homes a sanctuary for families, wherever they may be, as long as they live in Pahang," he said after presenting house keys to 11 Ru'RASA Phase Two recipients from Jerantut and Kuantan at Tanjung Lumpur here yesterday.

The ruler said the Ru'RASA scheme, which aims to provide comfortable homes for Pahang residents, involves the construction of 790 housing units across the state.

Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah proposed that a study be conducted to establish a group insurance scheme for all Ru'RASA residents to protect their homes against risks such as fire and other unforeseen incidents.

"I would like to suggest that, if possible, all 790 Ru'RASA homeowners be covered under a group insurance scheme.

"This is to ensure that the recipients and their homes are protected against various risks. We should look into the insurance aspect so that residents can feel more secure when occupying the units," he said.

In his speech, Al-Sultan Abdullah reiterated his reminder to Ru'RASA recipients not to sell or rent out their homes.

"The units cannot be sold or rented out as the homes are provided specifically for the benefit of the recipients and their respective families.

"These homes are meant specifically for all of you. When we are no longer around, the unit should be passed down to our children and grandchildren," he said.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in the success of the Ru'RASA project, particularly the Pahang Housing and Property Board, which manages the Al-Sultan Abdullah Housing Trust Account, as well as the contractors and government agencies that provided assistance.

The Ru'RASA housing units are provided free of charge to eligible recipients through a joint initiative between Al-Sultan Abdullah and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Also present were the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah; UAE Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Mubarak Saeed Ahmed AlDhaheri; and Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff.