As Malaysia prepares for Budget 2025, real estate experts are calling for bold reforms to tackle affordability challenges while steering the property sector toward long-term sustainability. Industry voices emphasize the need for targeted financial relief, green incentives, and streamlined regulations to balance immediate market needs with future-proof growth strategies.
Key proposals include reviving buyer-friendly initiatives like stamp duty waivers and flexible financing, particularly for first-time purchasers. Developers argue such measures would stimulate demand while easing entry barriers for lower-income groups. Simultaneously, leaders like Sime Darby Property’s Azmir Merican advocate for renewable energy incentives and modernized grid infrastructure to align housing development with Malaysia’s sustainability goals. These dual priorities—affordability and eco-conscious growth—reflect the industry’s push for policies that serve both current and future generations.
Challenges such as construction cost inflation and labor shortages remain pressing concerns. Trinity Group’s Neoh Soo Keat proposes tax breaks for building materials and faster foreign worker approvals to stabilize project timelines. Meanwhile, PropertyGuru’s Kenneth Soh highlights the success of PR1MA and similar affordable housing programs, urging expanded rent-to-own schemes and green certification rewards. The consensus is clear: Budget 2025 must address systemic hurdles while incentivizing innovation to keep homeownership within reach for Malaysians across income brackets.
With residential overhangs persisting and urban redevelopment lagging, associations like REHDA and PEPS stress the importance of public-private collaboration. Recommendations range from releasing idle government land for development to creating revolving funds for down payments. As stakeholders await the budget announcement, the overarching message is one of cautious optimism—a belief that strategic reforms can transform Malaysia’s property landscape into one that is inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking.