KUANTAN: A senior citizen Ngah Ismail, 87, today received an early New Year gift from the state government — a three-bedroom house.
He received the keys to the new unit, under the Rumah Rakyat Pahang (RRP) programme, from Beserah assemblymen Andansura Rabu.
Assisted by his walking stick, the elderly man was happy as he inspected his new home, a far cry from the previous wooden house where he lived for more than 30 years in Kampung Pantai Beserah, here.
"When YB (Andansura) visited the village several months ago, he told me that he wanted to help me get a new house. My old house was in a bad condition, with holes on the floor and walls. The zinc roof leaked every time it rains.
"I am so happy to receive the keys to my new house before the New Year," he said when met today.
Ngah, who used to work as a fishermen here, said he survived with the aid provided by the Welfare Department. The bachelor said he also has siblings living nearby.
"Although I have siblings nearby, I am more comfortable having my own house. My siblings always invite me to eat with them, but I don't want to burden them and prefer to make my own meals," said Ngah who has hearing difficulties.
Andansura said each unit of the RRP cost RM65,000 and was given free for the hardcore poor, with each state constituency getting three units.
"Besides the units here (Kampung Pantai Beserah), two other units are being built at Cherating and Alor Batu, Jabor. Applicants need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for selection.
"The state government plans to build 100 RRP homes in Pahang this year to provide a more comfortable home for the needy. The programme will continue next year," he said.
It was previously reported that the Pahang government had allocated RM6.37 million this year to build 98 homes under the RRP programme.