Those Without Fixed Income Can Apply For Housing Loan

KUCHING, March 31 (Bernama) -- Beginning July 1, those without fixed monthly income, such as farmers and fishermen, will be eligible to apply for housing loans through the Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan Berhad (SJKP) scheme.

State Housing Minister Datuk Seri Abang Johari Tun Openg said today the Finance Ministry had allocated RM50 million for the scheme, and those without fixed income could apply fir a maximum loan of RM100,000.

"Farmers and fishermen do not have fixed income, let alone a salary slip. So, it is difficult for them to apply for housing loans, even though the government has prepared low-cost houses just for them," he told reporters after chairing the 7th Housing Coordination meeting, here Monday.

Johari said, two banks, namely Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and Bank Simpanan Nasional, had been appointed to manage the scheme.

He said the farmers and fishermen had only to deposit their money in a savings account with one of the banks on a monthly basis as proof that they have income.

He said the ministry also had the support of the federal government to speed up the housing loan process for public officers and staff, to just three days, from two months previously.

-- BERNAMA