Najib's visit to Santong, Paka this Saturday will make history

DUNGUN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's visit to Santong, Paka, on Saturday will make history and be a memorable event for locals as the first one by any prime minister of the country.
Santong Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Shafie Salleh, or better known as Pok Awang Santong said the the villagers had for years hoped that a prime minister would visit their village.
"For over 60 years, we have often felt marginalised because the village is located far from the town of Dungun. But who would have thought that today, a village located in the interiors would be receiving the nation's top leader.
"Certainly, the date April 16, 2017, will be cherised as one of the most special and historic days for the 800 people from 149 families in this village," he told Bernama when met at the site of the 'Jom Bantu Rakyat' launch ceremony and groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad's (SPNB) Perumahan Idaman Rakyat housing project here, today.
Pok Awang said the committee had long made an application for the construction of an integrated residential complex for the locals.
"However, luck was not on our side as the structure of the 26 acres of land was silty and not very suitable for construction, so the plan was not approved by the relevant departments and agencies.
"However, for everything that happens there is a silver lining, who would have thought that the delay in the construction of the SPNB housing project would lead to something special, that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself will be officiating it," he said.
Meanwhile, SPNB Terengganu liaison officer Mohd Ridzuan Abd Ghani said the housing project in Kampung Santong was SPNB's first in Terengganu.
"This project offers 70 units of affordable homes costing RM68,000 each, and we are still waiting for the list of potential buyers who qualify from the State Secretary's Office.
"Besides this, we are also offering 60 units of double storey terrace houses costing RM250,000; 76 units of double storey semi-detached houses costing RM350,000, and 23 units of double storey shop houses priced at RM650,000," he said.
Mohd Ridzuan said SPNB had three more projects planned in Terengganu, namely in Tok Jembal, Kuala Nerus; Kuala Ping in Hulu Terengganu and Kerteh in Kemaman, and construction at all locations were expected to commence before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Dungun parliamentary constituency development officer, Datuk Din Adam said the advantage of the SPNB project in Kampung Santong was easy access to the East Coast Expressway Phase Two, in Paka.
"The houses are located only five kilometres away from Paka and close by to all amenities such as schools, police station, fire station and commercial business centre in Paka.
"The priority of home ownership under the project will be given to locals and this is proof of Barisan Nasional's commitment towards the welfare and basic needs of the people," he added. — Bernama