SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan state government will revise its affordable housing policy to cater to the overflowing demand for affordable houses in the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said, under the new policy, the percentage of affordable houses development under the RM80,000 and below category, will be raised to 20 percent, in comparison to only 15 percent under the current policy.
“The demand for this type of houses have been overwhelming especially among the buyers earning a monthly household income of RM3,500 and below. Thousands of people have applied to buy the houses, whereas under the current policy, we can only provide 1,500 houses sold below RM80,000,” he said.
He added, under the new policy, houses sold for RM250,000 and below will remain at 15 percent while houses not exceeding RM400,000 will be reduced to 15 percent.
“Due to the overwhelming demand for affordable houses, we feel that we need to revise the policy but this will be discussed with the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) soon. All aspects will be looked into,” he said during a press conference after the weekly exco meeting at Wisma Negeri here today.
He said, the new policy will provide wider opportunity for the public to buy affordable houses.
“As for the developer, they need not to worry on not making profits as affordable houses have been selling like hot cakes ever since it was introduced two years ago. The developers too can save a lot on their holding cost, as affordable houses’ turnaround times have proven to be quick.
“The developers too can skip the hassle to market their properties as the state government has a list of thousands of ready buyers registered with the state’s housing unit who are ready to buy the affordable houses once they are ready for sale. Profits should also be looked on how much you can save when you don’t have to hold the properties,” he said.
The state affordable housing policy which was set up in 2015 allocates 15 per cent of affordable houses must be sold not exceeding RM80,000, another 15 per cent are allocated for RM250,000 and below and 20 per cent for houses not exceeding RM400,000.
Under the policy, houses priced at RM80,000 and below must be in the form of landed residential units with sizes of not less than 20 feet by 60 feet, and will not be given Bumiputera discount.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said, the state government will soon complete its investigation on all tahfiz schools in the state to ensure all schools comply with the Fire and Rescue Department safety regulations.
“We have set up a committee which involves state Fire and Rescue Department, Education Department and Islamic religious affairs department, who will oversee all tahfiz schools in the state for safety inspections. Full complete reports will be sent to Dewan Keadilan and Undang Negri Sembilan, which is responsible in all matters related to the Islamic religion and Malay customs, for further actions,” said Mohamad.
“The state government will follow and carry out actions according to the decisions made by the Dewan Keadilan and Undang Negri Sembilan. We will announce the outcome soon,” he said.