PEKAN, Oct 28 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today graced the launch of the housing project and the presentation of the Housing Assistance Offer Letter to Pahang flood victims, courtesy of the Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) here today.

His Majesty was received on arrival at the Kampung Temai Hulu Temporary Relief Centre (PPS) by incumbent Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia Khalid Ghanim Mohammed Alghaith and Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Society Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei.

Also present were Pahang Housing and Real Estate Board executive director Ismayati Ismail, Pahang Public Works Department (PWD) director Datuk Hafizah Zakaria and Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.

In his speech, Al-Sultan Abdullah said he hoped the contractor involved will expedite the implementation of the project so that it could be completed before the North-east Monsoon season arrives so that the victims can move in as soon as possible.

"I also hope this (new housing) area will not be flooded.

"Every recipient should also be grateful for this housing aid because not everyone can get a house like this. And please don’t think about selling the house...if possible pass it down to your grandchildren,” said the King.

Meanwhile, Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed his gratitude to the government of UAE, especially to President Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan for the assistance which was seen as a result of the close ties between His Majesty and Sheikh Mohamed Zayed.

Earlier, the King was also briefed by Ismayati about the project that costs more than RM12.1 million and involved the construction of 123 units of houses in seven districts in Pahang, namely Lipis, Jerantut, Maran, Pekan, Raub, Temerloh and Bentong.

According to Ismayati, the houses, each measuring 750 sq feet, will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms with basic furniture.

Two types of houses are being offered, namely single-storey houses worth RM75,000 and stilt houses worth RM100,000 each.

The houses are expected to be ready by early next year at the latest. — Bernama