DEVELOPERS in Selangor plan to propose a simple mechanism that will enable unsold Bumiputra allotments of completed housing units to be automatically released.
Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) Selangor chairman Datuk Edward Chong Sin Kiat said developers presently had to invest time in applying for the permission to release the unsold Bumiputra residential units, while rising costs were a burden to the housing industry.
He urged the state government to make the release process easier during this challenging period.
“Developers can then use the cash flow for new projects, rather than leaving the units idle,” said Chong, who is also Rehda Malaysia deputy president.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Rehda Selangor Housing Convention 2026 in Bangi today (Nov 3).
He said developers hoped that the upcoming Selangor budget would include such measures.
Chong also suggested that the state staggered some of its affordable housing requirements.
"The main concern for the industry is geopolitical uncertainty, including the Middle East conflict, which has pushed oil prices up."
He said the Federal Government’s targeted petrol subsidy had cushioned some of the impact.
But costs such as diesel used by contractors, he said, were not subsidised and would eventually be passed on to consumers.
“When people have less disposable income, the first thing they cut is big-ticket items.
“They will delay buying a house,” he said.
Citing National Property Information Centre (Napic) figures, he added that property sales nationwide had declined.
In his speech at the convention, Chong also called for greater regulatory clarity and consistent policy implementation.
“Good policies set the direction. Clear and consistent implementation helps turn that direction into progress,” he said.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, in his keynote address delivered by Rehda Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Tan Hon Lim, said the state government understood that developers faced their own challenges.
These included rising construction and financing costs, economic uncertainty and changing buyer sentiment, said Amirudin.
“The principle is simple: development must meet the people’s needs, while government policies must take into account market realities and the industry’s capability,” he said.
He added that the state was committed to improving its delivery system, speeding up approvals and strengthening coordination between departments and local authorities.
Amirudin said that artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis could help identify areas with high housing demand, the types of homes needed and the potential for oversupply in certain locations.
When asked about the state’s rent-to-own scheme, Chong said it was the right approach, as housing policies had to cater to buyers of different income levels.
“If they rent first and what they pay is converted, and they finally own the house, I think that is a good scheme,” he said.
“Ultimately, the success of our industry should not be measured simply by how many homes we build or how much development takes place.
“It should also be measured by how well we deliver, how effectively we respond to the people’s needs and how our efforts improve the lives of people in Selangor,” Chong added.
Themed “Together We Create, Together We Strive”, the convention brought together policymakers, government agencies, developers and built-environment professionals.
Sessions covered planning guidelines, land administration, geological risk management, and artificial intelligence in real estate.
