PETALING JAYA: The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) has welcomed the newly launched National Housing Policy 2026-2035 as an important framework in charting the future direction of Malaysia’s housing sector.
The theme “Humanising Housing” is closely aligned with Rehda’s long-standing belief that housing is not merely about building structures, but about delivering quality, affordable, liveable and sustainable homes for the rakyat.
Rehda president Datuk Zaini Yusoff said the policy reflects this broader approach by addressing housing provision, the housing ecosystem and the regulatory framework as interconnected components of the sector.
“Rehda is particularly encouraged by the policy’s emphasis on data-driven housing planning, including Big Data Analytics and housing projections according to locality, existing supply, vacancies, housing type, income and price categories,” he added.
Zaini said Rehda has long been a strong advocate for the establishment of a comprehensive and centralised housing data system that is accurate and provides timely picture of demand in specific locations.
“Better data will enable both the public and private sectors to make more informed decisions, particularly in ensuring that affordable housing is provided in the right location, at the right price and according to actual demand, while reducing supply-demand mismatches and unsold units,” he added.
Rehda also welcomes the policy’s recognition of the need for more diverse pathways to homeownership, including rent-to-own, Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, shared ownership and long-term fixed rate mortgages.
“Access to financing remains one of the key challenges faced by prospective homebuyers. We therefore welcome more flexible and inclusive financing solutions, particularly for middle-income households that may not qualify for affordable housing programmes but continue to face affordability constraints in the open market,” said Zaini.
Rehda similarly supports the broader direction of the National Housing Policy 2026-2035 in promoting liveable neighbourhoods, better integration between housing and transport, urban renewal, improved housing standards and a more responsive housing delivery ecosystem.
The proposed integration of housing and transport policies, including transit-oriented development (TOD), is particularly timely in ensuring homes are better connected to employment, public transport and essential amenities.
At the same time, Rehda believes that some measures outlined in the policy will require careful study and meaningful industry engagement, particularly the proposed transition from the current sell-then-build (STB) system towards build-then-sell (BTS) between 2027 and 2035.
“While Rehda appreciates the government’s intention to further strengthen homebuyers’ protection, any fundamental change to the housing delivery system must take into account its implications on the overall housing delivery which includes holding costs, financing, cash flow, housing prices and supply, amongst others,” said Zaini.
“This is especially important for small and medium-sized developers, which may not havethe financial capacity to fund an entire development until completion.”
Given that the STB system has been widely adopted and has successfully delivered than 6.5 million housing units over the years, Rehda believes that STB should continue to co- exist alongside BTS, should the latter be introduced.
Any move towards BTS should also be progressive, supported by appropriate financing and regulatory mechanisms, and undertaken in close consultation with developers, financial institutions and other stakeholders, to strengthen purchasers’ protection without inadvertently increasing housing costs or constraining supply.
Rehda views the National Housing Policy 2026-2035 as a positive and comprehensive framework for strengthening Malaysia’s housing ecosystem and it remains committed to working closely with the government towards its effective implementation.
Rehda said it will continue to encourage its members to uphold its nation-building role of providing quality, affordable homes for the rakyat in a timely and sustainable manner.
