(Standing from fifth left) Tengku Adnan, his wife Datin Seri Anggraini Sentiyaki and Chai join other special guests and some of the successful first-time homeowners of Residensi Desa Satumas in a group photo after the unit balloting session.

FOUR young adults realised their dream of owning a home in a strategic location in the city, thanks to the Federal Territories Affordable Homes Programme (Rumawip) Residensi Desa Satumas project in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur.

A total of 3,002 apartment units at 850sq ft, comprising three bedrooms and two bathrooms each, were sold for only RM230,000.

Engineer Rozlan Ramli, 35, student Wong Khai Ping, 31, preschool teacher Jamilah Jamil, 26 and teacher Sharmila Sivakumar, 23, were among the first to draw their unit numbers during the balloting session at the site of the development.

Rozlan, who is married with three children, said he felt dejected after failing to get a unit under the 1Malaysia Housing Programme in Bukit Bintang.

“I have been staying with my sister in Gombak for some years now.

“I wanted to move out but could not find a house that I could afford.

Chai (right) presenting the framed winning artwork by Lee Ming Hei (centre) of SR JK (C) Yoke Num to Tengku Adnan and his wife, Datin Seri Anggraini Sentiyaki.

“I am grateful to the Federal Territories Ministry for Rumawip as it has enabled me to own a house and raise my family in a comfortable and conducive environment,” he said.

Wong said he was very excited to own his first home.

“I am still single and live with my family in Sri Petaling. I may move out when the project is completed.

“In the meantime, I am thrilled to have a house under my name,” he said.

Jamilah, who is also single and lives with her family in Kajang, said the house would help ease her daily commute to work.

“I have been scouting for a house for sometime now, but most of them are too expensive. Now, I finally have a house I can afford; it feels surreal,” she said.

Visitors checking out a scale model of Residensi Desa Satumas.

Sharmila had been looking for a house in the area but there was none below RM400,000.

“I wanted a home close to my family, but everything was beyond my budget.

“When I heard about the Residensi Desa Satumas launch, I immediately applied,” said Sharmila, who stays with her family in Taman Desa.

“I look forward to moving in once the project is completed,” she added.

Present at the event were Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Chai Kin Kong, deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan and Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan.

During the launch of the balloting session, the national flag was raised in support of the Raise The Flag campaign organised by Star Media Group in conjunction with National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

Young owners of Rumawip Residensi Desa Satumas units waiting to draw their unit number at the balloting session.

This was followed by a prize-giving ceremony for the pupils of SK Seri Setia, SRJK (T) Saraswathy and SRJK (C) Yoke Num, who participated in a colouring contest held as part of the campaign.

Chai said the colouring contest was a fun way to get the children to learn the colours on the national flag and their significance.

“About 400 children took part and almost 60% of the colours used were white, yellow, red and blue.

“It also gave them an avenue to express their love for the country through art.

“Our company is always for unity. That is also the reason behind the name Desa Satumas. Satu means one and mas stands for Malaysia.

“We want Malaysians of all races and religions to stand as one,” he added.