SIBU, Aug 29 — The Sarawak government will continue working with the housing industry to meet the people’s housing needs, including its target of building 20,000 affordable homes by 2030.
State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang said collaboration with industry players remained important in ensuring housing was suitable, of good quality and responsive to the needs of Sarawakians.
“The state government will continue to work with the industry to ensure the rakyat’s housing needs are met, including the building of 20,000 affordable housings by 2030.
“Where there are challenges, let us discuss them. Where there are opportunities, let us work together. And where improvements are needed, let us find practical solutions together,” he said when officiating at Sarawak Housing Real Estate Developers Association (Sheda) Home and Property Roadshow 2026 at Wisma Sanyan here yesterday.
The Pelawan assemblyman said the government was aware of its role to ensure every Sarawakian had a proper roof over their head, adding that cooperation with government-linked companies, statutory bodies and private developers remained important in expanding access to housing.
He also highlighted the Housing Deposit and Repayment Assistance Scheme (HDRAS), which assists eligible first-time homebuyers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups, in overcoming financial barriers to home ownership.
Under HDRAS, eligible applicants may receive assistance of up to RM10,000 towards their housing deposit or, where applicable, RM200 a month towards their housing loan repayment for up to 48 months.
Tiang said 1,206 recipients benefitted from the scheme last year, involving RM12.06 million in assistance, while another 387 recipients had benefitted as of July this year.
“This momentum will continue at the Sheda Property Expo 2026, where we will witness the presentation of mock cheques to 20 recipients, amounting to a total assistance of RM200,000.
“This is a meaningful part of the expo because it reminds us that behind every housing policy and every housing programme, there are real individuals and families whose lives can be positively impacted,” he said.
In his remarks, Sheda Sibu branch chairman Wong Siong Nee said house prices were expected to rise next year due to higher construction material and transportation costs, compounded by a shortage of local workers.
Meanwhile, Tiang called on the federal government to review the new stamp duty policy on property development agreements, which could impose a heavy upfront financial burden on Sarawak developers and potentially slow housing development in the state.
According to him, developers undertaking projects through joint ventures are required to pay stamp duty based on the value of the developed land, at rates ranging from one to four per cent.
“In the past, when a developer signed a development agreement and power of attorney with a landowner to jointly develop the land, only a flat-rate stamp duty of RM10 was normally imposed on both documents.
“However, under the new policy issued by the federal government, developers are now required to pay stamp duty twice based on the value of the land, even before the actual development process begins, despite the land being owned by the landowner rather than the developer.
“I urge the federal government to review this policy because the situation in Sarawak is different from that in Peninsular Malaysia.”
Tiang pointed out that many developers in Sarawak were actually property developers rather than landowners, unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, where developers would typically purchase and own the land.
He also stressed that signing a joint-venture agreement did not mean a project would automatically proceed, as developers still had to obtain planning approval and fulfil other regulatory requirements.
He also pointed out that Sarawak developers already faced higher costs in areas such as logistics and building materials.
“But that does not mean we should stop looking for ways and solutions to overcome these challenges. I believe that through continued dialogue with Sheda, which has been very proactive, we can work together to find practical solutions,” he added. — The Borneo Post
Date: 29 August, 2026 12:11 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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