KUCHING: The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) is urging the Sarawak government to consider expanding the Affordable Housing Developments initiative to include all housing development projects in Sarawak.
Sheda president Augustine Wong Chung Ho said that expanding the initiative would allow eligible Sarawakians to purchase other types of housing closer to economic centres and their workplaces.
“We also ask the government to introduce attractive end-financing loan interest rates to property developers building affordable housing to stabilise the cost of constructing such homes,” Wong stated during his opening speech at the Sheda Property Expo held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here on Friday (July 14).
He highlighted a report from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), which revealed that only 18 per cent of its total members met the minimum savings threshold to have at least RM1,000 per month over a 20-year retirement age.
“In other words, 82 per cent of EPF’s total members will not even have RM1,000 per month when they retire. Not even RM1,000 per month.
“This figure indicates the economic challenges our society is facing. Fewer people have sufficient disposable income to meet housing loan requirements,” he said.
Despite the setbacks caused by the post Covid-19 situation, Sheda remains optimistic that the delivery of 2,500 units of affordable housing for Sarawakians is achievable with the right policies, mechanisms and incentives.
Wong reiterated Sheda’s commitment to contribute towards the enhancement of Sarawak’s affordable housing system. He mentioned that the Affordable Housing Development Category for the Sheda Excellence Awards has been expanded to include state and federally funded projects, allowing the private and public sectors to support and learn from one another.
Furthermore, Sheda is prepared to assist and collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, the Land and Survey Department, the Housing Development Corporation and local councils to establish a consolidated Sarawak-centric, Sarawak-wide property database.
“We want to play our part in the peace and prosperity of Sarawak. We want Sarawakians to belong, grow, and succeed,” Augustine expressed.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Michael Tiang, who represented Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, as the guest of honour for the expo’s inauguration.
