KUCHING: Housing and Local Government Ministry is coming up with a proposal to help ease the housing loan application process for the lower and middle income groups, its Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said today.
She said the ministry was looking into encouraging the financial institutions to include in their assessment, the second or third income of the B40 and M40 groups.
"Usually these groups have a second or third income from their part time jobs and the financial institutions should include this in their assessment.
“We will discuss this further with the Finance Ministry and Bank Negara because our aim is to ensure more lower and middle income groups can afford to own a home, within the next 10 to 20 years,” she said.
“So, (I feel) we should also consider those who have multiple incomes from their part time jobs,” she said.
The Ampang Member of Parliament was on a two-day working trip to Sarawak, paying a courtesy call to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg and state Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, at the Sarawak legislative assembly (DUN) complex in Petra Jaya.
During the 14th General Election, Zuraida was barred from entering the state but the state had lifted the ban after she was appointed as a Federal cabinet minister.
Zuraida also suggested that house prices could be controlled if housing projects were managed under one roof, by the ministry.
“Under the new Pakatan Harapan administration, many housing developers have come forward expressing their willingness to focus on building affordable homes to B40 group as they also believed it’s time to give back to the society.
"They have become patriotic, “she said.
The developers, she said, sought to take only eight per cent profit margin for housing projects for the B40.
“If they are able to do it, I’m very grateful,” she said.
Meanwhile, Zuraida also said allocations will be channelled directly to all local authorities nationwide despite political differences.
“Although Selangor was once the opposition state and the Federal government did not channel the allocation directly to the local authorities and opposition MPs, we will not continue such practice,” she said.
Zuraida said local councils should cooperate with all the lawmakers in their respective areas because PH’s priority is to serve everyone, regardless of their political, racial and religious differences.
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