KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's property market remained resilient, recording 187,320 transactions worth RM105.12 billion in the first half of 2026 (1H 2026), Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said.
He said the performance was in line with Malaysia's robust economic growth, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding 6.0 per cent in the second quarter.
"Despite some marginal adjustments, the property market remained firm, supported by stable transaction activity and price movements, as well as active construction activity.
"This stability was underpinned by the country's monetary policy, with the overnight policy rate (OPR) maintained at 2.75 per cent, providing confidence to financiers and buyers," he said in his speech at the launch of the 1H 2026 Property Market Report today.
Amir Hamzah said 27,832 new residential units were launched in 1H 2026, with a sales performance of 16.6 per cent.
The Malaysia House Price Index stood at 234.7 points, with the average house price at RM506,317 per unit, representing marginal annual growth of 0.9 per cent, he said.
At the same time, Amir Hamzah said the commercial property market also supported the resilience of the broader economy, with the overall occupancy rate for purpose-built offices for both the private and government sectors rising to 78.5 per cent in 1H 2026 from 77.8 per cent in 1H 2025.
For shopping complexes, the overall occupancy rate remained stable at 77.9 per cent nationwide, compared with 78.7 per cent in 1H 2025, he said.
"The industrial property segment also grew 3.8 per cent, recording 3,932 transactions worth RM14.78 billion.
"This development was in line with robust growth in the country's manufacturing sector, which expanded 7.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026," he said.
During 1H 2026, the residential subsector accounted for 59.3 per cent of total property transactions, with 110,998 transactions.
In value terms, the residential subsector also accounted for the largest share, at 44.8 per cent of total property transaction value, amounting to RM47.11 billion.
Despite the market's resilience, Amir Hamzah said 33,094 completed but unsold residential units were recorded, with a total value of RM17.78 billion, compared with 30,471 units worth RM17.73 billion in 1Q 2025.
Asked about the outlook for the property sector in the second half of 2026, Amir Hamzah said positive labour market momentum, including a low unemployment rate and rising wages, was expected to continue supporting demand for property.
He said government measures to address the cost of living, including the implementation of minimum wage policies and targeted assistance initiatives, would also help raise Malaysians' disposable income and strengthen homebuyer confidence. - Bernama
