Abang Johari receives the 25th Jubilee Anniversary Celebration Yearbook from Sheda president Dr Christopher Ngui (left). Dr Sim is at second right. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is looking to amend the Strata Titles Ordinance 1995.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is vital to resolve strata title issues for homebuyers.
He said the issue is being discussed at the ongoing lab involving Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda), and other relevant bodies.
“Once that is done, we will amend our laws in the State Legislative Assembly,” he said during Sheda’s 25th anniversary dinner and excellence awards 2018 on Friday.
He added the Sarawak government is committed to resolving such issues to reduce the burden of homebuyers.
Other lab topics being discussed include helping potential homebuyers to get loans.
Towards this end, the Sarawak government has injected RM100 million into the Sarawak-owned Mutiara Mortgage and Finance to provide loan facilities for the B40 and M40 income groups to assist with low-cost housing purchases.
Under the scheme, the Sarawak government will build 2,500 low cost houses priced between RM190,000 and RM250,000 in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu.
“The state government will allocate land for the project while the land premium is reduced up to 50 per cent, at RM1,500 compared to RM5,000 previously. So we are only selling the house, with one third of the cost absorbed by the government,” he explained.
Abang Johari added the government is also working to solve issues faced by Sheda, including regarding the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme for foreign owners.
“We will look into this, especially in increasing direct flights to Sarawak,” he said.