The National House Buyers Association (HBA) has called for a clearer definition of “affordable housing” in Malaysia, stressing that homes priced as high as RM500,000 should not be considered affordable. Datuk Chang Kim Loong, the HBA’s Honorary Secretary-General, stated that true affordable housing must address the needs of households earning below the median income level, as outlined by a government-recognized affordability index. This news was reported in Business Times.

“A home is more than just a physical asset; it provides long-term financial security. The HBA urges the government to prioritize the people’s housing needs over developers’ interests,” Chang said. He defined affordable housing by three criteria: price range, suitable living space, and accessible location.

• Price Range: Housing should be priced between RM150,000 and RM300,000, distinct from low- and medium-cost housing priced below RM100,000, like People’s Housing Projects (PPR).
• Size and Suitability: A minimum size of 800 sq ft, with at least two bedrooms, ensures these homes are suitable for families.
• Location and Accessibility: Affordable housing should be in areas with reliable public transport links, such as LRT or KTM, and near essential amenities like schools and hospitals.

The HBA praised the government’s 2025 Budget proposals for the housing sector, noting that effective implementation could significantly increase the supply of affordable homes, particularly as Malaysians struggle with rising costs and economic pressures. Chang added that a “Housing Index” would also help standardize affordable housing definitions across states, accommodating varied local economic conditions and making homes truly affordable based on regional incomes.

Establishing a national affordable housing trust

In response to ongoing mismatches between supply and demand, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) recently proposed creating a national affordable housing trust. Datuk Ho Hon Sang, President of Rehda, explained that the trust would focus on building affordable homes in high-demand areas to avoid surplus stock in less-demanding regions. Ho highlighted data from the National Property Information Centre that 28.6% of unsold homes in Q1 2024 were priced below RM300,000, underscoring a location-based mismatch in housing supply.

“Affordability must be aligned with specific demand areas, not a one-size-fits-all approach,” Ho said. He proposed that representatives from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, state authorities, and Rehda form a committee to evaluate where affordable housing is most needed. Developers would contribute a percentage of their gross development value to fund the trust.

Rehda also suggested developers work with banks to offer subsidized loans for affordable housing and urged the government to provide incentives, like discounts on premium charges, development fees, and Improvement Service Funds, to reduce the financial burden on home buyers.

Regional and state variations for affordable housing

Samuel Tan, CEO of Olive Tree Property Consultants, noted that the definition of “affordable housing” should vary by state, given the unique characteristics of each region. “A RM500,000 home may be affordable in the Klang Valley but would be considered a luxury property in states like Kelantan or Perlis,” Tan explained. Localized standards, he argued, would better reflect regional economic conditions and affordability.

Tan also emphasized that price alone should not define affordable housing. “The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and proximity to public transport and amenities must be considered to provide a livable and functional space for families,” he said.

Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR) raises concerns

The HBA’s Chang expressed concerns regarding Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR), a new initiative included in the 2025 Budget by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The budget allocates RM900 million for 48 PRR projects, aiming to house around 17,500 residents by the end of 2025. However, Chang warned that the initiative could impose financial strains on the government, with PRR units projected to cost RM300,000 to build but sold at just RM60,000 each.

Chang pointed out that the current social housing model, PPR, is a rental arrangement meant to help lower-income groups save toward buying their own homes. He suggested that the government follow Johor’s Rumah Iskandar model, which offers a rent-to-own option, allowing qualified tenants to rent initially and buy later.

A sustainable path forward

By setting clear, regional standards for affordable housing, Malaysia can address both the shortfall in truly affordable homes and the regional disparities in housing demand. The HBA and Rehda’s proposals, combined with government initiatives, highlight the importance of a balanced, regional approach to make affordable housing a realistic and sustainable goal for the nation.

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has proposed constructing a new administration building at Jalan Sungai Dua, near the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal (TSN).

MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said this during the monthly MBPP meeting at City Hall, attended by MBPP councillors, various heads of department, and other important stakeholders.

He said the primary objective of this proposal was to centralise MBPP’s services for residents in both the southwest and northeast districts on the island, while also creating an additional avenue stream for the local council.

“Taxes alone won’t be enough for the local council to provide the best possible services to the people. Hence, we have decided to propose the construction of a new admin building in the said area.

“We are in the process of hiring a consultant for this proposed project to provide technical assistance and carry out necessary studies. Once completed, the council will initiate a Request for Proposals (RFP) for interested parties.

“We will engage architects to present the proposed project design. If all goes well, we hope to start the project, hopefully in 2027,” Rajendran said when met with reporters yesterday.

In addition to the proposed admin building, MBPP has identified three other plots of land in the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal area for potential development. The total area across these four plots is approximately 9.7 acres.

The proposed building will be developed in phases. Phase One includes the new administration building, while Phases Two and Three will focus on redeveloping MBPP staff quarters and constructing additional commercial spaces.

Rajendran noted that the current MBPP quarters, comprising 120 units, will be demolished and rebuilt to house a larger number of MBPP staff.

Further details on the additional developments in Phases Two and Three are expected to be finalised soon.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

About Savana @ Utropolis

This is the fourth phase of Paramount Property’s Utropolis development at Batu Kawan. Located along Jalan Cassia Barat 2, adjacent to Sensasi and Sinaran Residences. It is less than 5 minutes’ walking distance to Design Village outlet mall and UOW MALAYSIA KDU Penang University College, with easy access to Penang Second Bridge and North-South Expressway. This development features 522 residential units with 8 levels of car parking podium.

Find out more about Utropolis @ Batu Kawan:

• Phase 1 – Sensasi Commercial & Residential Suites (Completed)
• Phase 2 – Suasana Residential Suites (Completed)
• Phase 3 – Sinaran Avenue & Sinaran Residences (Completed)
• Phase 4 – Savana (On-going)

Picture for illustration only

The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is taking strict action against landowners who proceed with development projects without obtaining the necessary planning approvals. MBSP Mayor, Dato’ Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid, emphasized that MBSP recently prosecuted a landowner who was operating a car wash facility without proper authorization.

On October 24, 2024, the individual appeared before the Seberang Perai City Council’s Magistrate Court and pleaded guilty to the charges, resulting in a fine of RM15,000.

As a reminder to Seberang Perai residents, MBSP urges all parties to respect city planning regulations and avoid conducting any form of development or property repurposing without prior approval. “Firm action will be taken against any individuals or companies found to be carrying out unauthorized development activities,” Dato’ Baderul Amin stated.

During the same session, MBSP also advised all landowners to adhere to notices and conditions set by the council. The Mayor’s message serves as a warning to potential violators and an assurance to the public that MBSP will continue enforcing compliance to uphold orderly development in Seberang Perai.

The 11th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia, in partnership with iProperty, took center stage at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur to celebrate Malaysia’s most exemplary real estate developers. With 58 categories covering a wide array of property developments and initiatives, the event brought together industry experts, property seekers, and thought leaders to acknowledge significant advancements in the fields of design, innovation, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.

AME Development Wins Best Developer (Malaysia)

In a first for the awards, AME Development Sdn Bhd earned the prestigious Best Developer (Malaysia) title, along with Best Industrial Developer and Best Sustainable Developer. These awards reinforce AME Development’s role as a pioneer in combining industrial innovation with sustainability, showcasing the company’s commitment to responsible property development.

The event also recognised regional champions, with Malton Berhad taking home Best Developer (Central Malaysia), driven by standout projects Bukit Jalil City and The Park 2 Pavilion Bukit Jalil. In southern Malaysia, Berinda Group was awarded Best Developer (Southern Malaysia), highlighting its work on Ponderosa Callista, a project known for its design and community focus.

Spotlight on ESG Champions

This year, the awards introduced ESG Developer Awards, marking a significant milestone by formally acknowledging developers committed to environmental and social responsibility. Iskandar Investment Berhad was named Low Carbon Champion for its strides in sustainable urban planning, while Tanah Sutera Development Sdn Bhd shared the Social Impact Champion title with Iskandar Investment, both celebrated for their contributions to community development.

In another landmark achievement, Lendlease & TRX City Sdn Bhd jointly won the Sustainable Design Champion award for their TRX Residences project, which also took home Best High-Rise Development (Malaysia). TRX Residences sets a new standard in sustainable high-rise development and exemplifies how ESG principles can transform urban living.

Sime Darby Property Berhad also emerged as a major winner, earning the Best Landed Development (Malaysia) title for The Residences III at The Glades. The company’s commitment to quality was further showcased with awards for projects like Hype Residences, Serenia City, Serenia Industrial Park, The Serenade at The Glades, and Triara Residences.

Recognising Malaysia’s Best Developers

Malaysia’s top developers were celebrated across diverse categories. GSH Corporation Limited was awarded Best Luxury Developer, with its Coral Bay @ Sutera project lauded for its unique design and high-end appeal. Astaka Padu Sdn Bhd was named Best Lifestyle Developer for Aliva Mount Austin, and Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad was recognised as Best Community Developer for creating socially connected communities through projects like Bayu Sutera, Bandar Sri Sendayan, and Resort Villa, Bandar Sri Sendayan.

The People’s Choice Awards enabled the public to vote for their favourite developers, showcasing the companies that resonated most with property seekers. This year’s top 10, in alphabetical order, included Armani Group, Gunung Impian Development Sdn Bhd, Mah Sing Group Berhad, Malton Berhad, Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad, PKNS, Sime Darby Property Berhad, Teladan Group Berhad, Tropicana Corporation Berhad, and UDA Holdings Berhad. HLB Ler Lum Chew – HLB Malaysia, the official balloting partner, independently verified the results of the public vote.

Industry Leaders Applaud Property Excellence

Jeremy Williams, Managing Director, Marketplaces, PropertyGuru Group, lauded the winners for their contributions to Malaysia’s property sector. “Malaysia’s finest developers have introduced communities and projects that champion environmental stewardship, spur economic growth, and promote property ownership opportunities across diverse market segments,” he said. “The achievements of this year’s winning developers support a property market increasingly driven by social awareness and positive change.”

Kenneth Soh, Country Manager for Malaysia at PropertyGuru Group, congratulated the award recipients for aligning with market needs and gaining expert validation. “Our award-winning companies have captured the pulse of Malaysia’s property seekers and uplifted communities while making an impact on consumers and investors,” he said.

Datuk Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail, chairperson of the awards, celebrated the honourees for their commitment to innovation and sustainability, saying, “Whether it’s developing the cities of tomorrow or promoting homeownership with competitively priced homes, these fine developers are paving the way for a more accessible property market.”

In a special recognition, Dato’ Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures, received the Malaysia Real Estate Personality of the Year award from the editorial team of Property Report by PropertyGuru, celebrating his impactful contributions to the Malaysian real estate landscape.

Judging Transparency and Regional Reach

Winners were selected by an independent panel of expert judges, including prominent industry figures from architecture, planning, and green building sectors. HLB Ler Lum Chew – HLB Malaysia, under the leadership of Managing Partner Kelvin Chew, supervised the judging process to ensure transparency and objectivity. With their national recognition, Malaysia’s winning companies are now eligible to compete at the 19th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in Bangkok on December 13, 2024, vying for a place on the international stage.

The 11th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia in partnership with iProperty was organised by PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), a leading property technology company in Southeast Asia. The event was made possible with the collaboration of official portal partners PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my; ESG knowledge partners GreenRE and the Malaysia Green Building Council; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partners Kopi & Property, Marketing In Asia, Niaga Times, Penang Property Talk, The Grid Asia, The Malaysia Voice, and Top 10 Malaysia; supporting partner REHDA Institute; and official supervisor HLB.

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS

11th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia in partnership with iProperty

DEVELOPER AWARDS

Best Developer (Malaysia)
WINNER: AME Development Sdn Bhd

Best Developer (Central Malaysia)
WINNER: Malton Berhad

Best Developer (Southern Malaysia)
WINNER: Berinda Group

Best Luxury Developer
WINNER: GSH Corporation Limited

Best Industrial Developer
WINNER: AME Development Sdn Bhd

Best Sustainable Developer
WINNER: AME Development Sdn Bhd

Best Lifestyle Developer
WINNER: Astaka Padu Sdn Bhd

Best Community Developer
WINNER: Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad

THE ESG DEVELOPER AWARDS

Low Carbon Champion
WINNER: Iskandar Investment Berhad

Social Impact Champion
WINNER: Tanah Sutera Development Sdn. Bhd.
WINNER: Iskandar Investment Berhad

Sustainable Design Champion
WINNER: Lendlease & TRX City Sdn Bhd

DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Best Mega Township Development
WINNER: Serenia City by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Township Development (Central)
WINNER: Bukit Jalil City by Malton Berhad

Best Township Development (Southern)
WINNER: Horizon Hills by Horizon Hills Development Sdn Bhd

Best Mixed Use Development
WINNER: Quayside JBCC by Bangsar Heights Pavilion

Best Integrated Development
WINNER: Coronation Square by Coronade Properties Sdn Bhd

Best Luxury High-Rise Development (Central)
WINNER: TRX Residences by Lendlease & TRX City Sdn Bhd

Best Luxury High-Rise Development (Southern)
WINNER: R&F Princess Cove Phase 2 – Seine Region by R&F Development Sdn Bhd

Best Completed High-Rise Development
WINNER: The Park 2 Pavilion Bukit Jalil by Malton Berhad

Best High End High-Rise Development (Southern)
WINNER: Adison by WCT Green Sdn Bhd

Best Branded Residential Development
WINNER: Quayside JBCC by Bangsar Heights Pavilion

Best Premium Lifestyle High-Rise Development
WINNER: Aliva Mount Austin by Astaka Padu Sdn Bhd

Best Investment High-Rise Development
WINNER: Paragon Gateway by Joland Group

Best Mid End High-Rise Development (Central)
WINNER: Helix2 @ PJ South by Eupe Corporation Berhad

Best Eco Friendly High-Rise Development
WINNER: Alfa Bangsar by City Motors Group

Best Waterfront High-Rise Development
WINNER: Coral Bay @ Sutera by GSH Corporation Limited

Best Secure High-Rise Development
WINNER: The Serenade at The Glades by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Multigenerational Living High-Rise Development
WINNER: Radium Adesa by Radium Development Berhad

Best Lifestyle High-Rise Development
WINNER: Triara Residences by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Connectivity High-Rise Development
WINNER: Hype Residences by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Smart Home Landed Development
WINNER: Sanubari @ Bandar Dato Onn by JLand Group Sdn Bhd

Best High End Landed Development (Central)
WINNER: Resort Villa, Bandar Sri Sendayan by Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad

Best High End Landed Development (Southern)
WINNER: Sutera Garden Village by Tanah Sutera Development Sdn. Bhd.

Best Value Mid-Rise Development
WINNER: The Senai Garden by KCC Development (M) Sdn Bhd

Best Value Landed Development
WINNER: St Marco Park by Casa Bayu Idaman Sdn Bhd

Best Investment Landed Development
WINNER: Iconia Garden Residence by Gunung Impian Development Sdn Bhd

Best Multigenerational Living Landed Development
WINNER: The Residences III at The Glades by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Lifestyle Landed Development
WINNER: Bayu Sutera, Bandar Sri Sendayan by Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad

Best Mass Market Landed Development (Central)
WINNER: Avisa Residences, Tropicana Alam by Tropicana Corporation Berhad

Best Mass Market Landed Development (Southern)
WINNER: Taman Bertam Heights by Teladan Group Berhad

Best Mass Market Landed Development (Northern)
WINNER: Villa Natura by Eupe Corporation Berhad

Best Senior Living Development
WINNER: Eden at Botanica CT by Eden at Botanica CT Sdn Bhd

Best Industrial Development
WINNER: Serenia Industrial Park by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Office Development
WINNER: The MET Corporate Towers by Triterra Sdn Bhd

DESIGN AWARDS

Best Township Masterplan Design
WINNER: Medini Innopolis by Iskandar Investment Berhad

Best Mixed Use Architectural Design
WINNER: Quayside JBCC by Bangsar Heights Pavilion

Best High-Rise Architectural Design
WINNER: TRX Residences by Lendlease & TRX City Sdn Bhd

Best Landed Architectural Design
WINNER: Ponderosa Callista by Berinda Group

Best Landed Interior Design
WINNER: Ixora by Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS)

Best Landed Landscape Design
WINNER: Ixora by Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS)

Best Clubhouse Design
WINNER: Sutera Garden Village by Tanah Sutera Development Sdn. Bhd.

BEST OF MALAYSIA AWARDS

Best Township Development (Malaysia)
WINNER: Horizon Hills by Horizon Hills Development Sdn Bhd

Best High-Rise Development (Malaysia)
WINNER: TRX Residences by Lendlease & TRX City Sdn Bhd

Best Landed Development (Malaysia)
WINNER: The Residences III at The Glades by Sime Darby Property Berhad

Best Commercial Development (Malaysia)
WINNER: The MET Corporate Towers by Triterra Sdn Bhd

Best Designed Development (Malaysia)
WINNER: Quayside JBCC by Bangsar Heights Pavilion

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

WINNER: Armani Group
WINNER: Gunung Impian Development Sdn Bhd
WINNER: Mah Sing Group Berhad
WINNER: Malton Berhad
WINNER: Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad
WINNER: Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS)
WINNER: Sime Darby Property Berhad
WINNER: Teladan Group Berhad
WINNER: Tropicana Corporation Berhad
WINNER: UDA Holdings Berhad

PUBLISHER’S CHOICE 

Malaysia Real Estate Personality of the Year
WINNER: Dato’ Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures