SIBU: Amendments to Sarawak's Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Ordinance are set to be tabled at the State Legislative Assembly sitting in November.
The move, according to state Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang, aims to provide stronger protection for house buyers.
“Key issues, such as booking fees affecting the calculation of liquidated ascertained damages (LAD) for delayed vacant possession, will be addressed.
"We believe that with the latest amendments, buyers will be in a stronger position when committing their hard-earned money to purchase their dream homes,” he said at the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers' Association (Sheda) Home and Property Roadshow here on Friday (Aug 29).
Tiang added that the ministry has actively intervened to resolve issues in troubled or sick housing projects.
He cited a project in Bintulu, which had faced prolonged delays over the past seven years, as an example.
After intervention by the ministry's housing project monitoring technical committee, many buyers in the project have finally received their keys, he added.
“This is not an isolated case. Similar interventions were carried out for other projects ... in Kuching, where the ministry’s mediation helped revive stalled developments," he said.
Addressing the rising cost of housing in Sarawak, Tiang noted that while multiple factors contribute to prices – including increasing construction material costs, logistics, and land acquisition challenges – a substantial portion is also due to compliance requirements and regulatory processes.
“Let’s be honest: developers face multiple layers of approvals and compliance costs.
"These include fees and timelines associated with planning approvals, land matters, drainage and hydrology assessments, and local authority requirements.
"Each delay or additional requirement, however necessary it may seem individually, accumulates in cost, much of which is ultimately passed on to the buyer,” he said.
As part of the government’s commitment to making housing more affordable, he said the state is reviewing and streamlining compliance-related costs and procedures without compromising on quality, safety, or environmental sustainability.
The aim is to ensure processes are efficient, predictable and cost-effective.
Tiang affirmed that the Sarawak government remains dedicated to ensuring all Sarawakians have access to quality, affordable housing.
“Our goal is ambitious, yet achievable: to deliver 20,000 units of affordable homes across Sarawak over the next five years under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
"This is not merely about building houses, but about building communities, securing livelihoods, and fulfilling the aspirations of our people," he stressed.
