Deputy minister commends state’s “win-win” housing law

SIBU: Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee has lauded the upcoming state law on housing, recently announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Tiang sees the impending state law as a win-win for the public, housing developers, and the state government, emphasising that it brings benefits to all three parties.

“I welcome and support this new policy, as announced by our Premier yesterday. It’s a win-win for the people, the State Government, and the private developers,” he said when met by reporters at the Lions eye-dotting ceremony at Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple here on Sunday.

Tiang speaks to reporters.

Additionally, Tiang expressed his hope that the state government would continue enhancing its housing policy to ensure affordable housing for people, especially those purchasing their first homes.

Explaining the current policy, Tiang highlighted that private developers are compelled to allocate 30 per cent of housing schemes or mixed development projects for affordable homes when the developed land area is 10 acres or more.

He also pointed out that developers face challenges building in secluded areas due to expensive and inaccessible land, coupled with higher transportation costs.

Looking forward, Tiang mentioned that the new policy, scheduled for implementation in the first quarter of this year, eliminates the obligation for developers to build in interior conditions.

“Now they would just need to pay a certain quantum to a housing trust fund. This is good for the State government as our Housing Development Corporation (HDC) can receive the money and then build affordable residential houses according to our state urban development plan which is more suitable, meet the people’s expectation, more affordable, better quality and better location,” he said.

On January 6, Abang Johari announced that private housing developers undertaking large-scale projects in Sarawak are no longer mandated to build affordable homes, starting from the first quarter of this year.

This decision aims to take control of affordable housing construction, addressing concerns about some property developers not earnestly pursuing such projects.