05/12/2025

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FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

Call to rethink and review Malaysia’s housing policies

SHAH ALAM: Berjaya Land Bhd has launched Bayu Timur Residences, a RM398 million freehold, resort-style condominium in the matured town ship of Kota Kemuning, with project completion targeted for early 2029. Berjaya Land group CEO Syed Ali Shahul Hameed said that based on the interest received so far, the develo pment is primarily attracting own-stay buyers given the township’s maturity and strong connectivity. “Demand here is mostly for people who want to live in Kota Kemuning. But the dual-key layout also provides an investment model because owners can rent out the smaller unit while staying in the other. It is flexible for multigenerational families, elderly parents or newly married couples,” he said during a press conference at the grand opening yesterday. He added that Kota Kemuning offers an established ecosystem, supported by schools, hospitals, retail centres and connectivity via several major highways, namely the Shah Alam Expressway, the Kemuning– Shah Alam Highway and the Elite Highway. Proton expects Saga MC3 to lead Asean A-segment market next year SUBANG JAYA: National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd expects its newly launched Proton Saga MC3 model to become the leading A segment model in the Asean market next year. Its CEO, Dr Li Chunrong said, the MC3 has received more than 30,000 bookings since its launch last week. Commenting on Proton’s electric vehicle (EV) line-up, he said the e.MAS 7 has become Malaysia’s best-selling EV in 2025, following its launch in June 2024, with 8,239 units sold as of November 2025. “Proton e.MAS 5 became Malaysia’s first affordable EV, achieving more than 10,000 bookings in a short time. “The e.MAS is at the centre of Proton’s EV roadmap. We believe the brand will become Malaysia’s number one EV brand soon,” Li said in his speech during the launch of the Proton Technology Showcase here yesterday. The show-case offers visitors an opportunity to gain insight into the technology that powers Proton’s models. The group said in a statement that the showcase gathers the company’s most significant engi neering achievements under one roof, offering unprecedented access to experience the latest breakthroughs in electrification, powertrain development and intel ligent connectivity. – Bernama Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

contribute – for instance, by offer ing special quotas or preferential interest rates for social housing. Additionally, the current policy framework, often perceived as punitive, should evolve. Rehda Institute called on the government to explore innovative strategies that offer positive re inforcement and reward good com pliance and responsible deli-very, moving towards a more colla borative environment. Ng also stressed the crucial role of data sharing and integration for effective policymaking. Rehda Institute advocates for stronger enforcement at all levels of government and systematic analysis of data by qualified research bodies to translate information into action able insights. To overcome the fragmentation in data management, the establish ment of a centralised data agency, equipped with skilled analysts and supported by coordinated inter governmental collaboration, should be explored as a backbone for consistent, reliable and data-driven housing policy. The insights from the dis cussions will contribute to Rehda Institute’s ongoing research report, Housing for All: Co-Creating a Needs-Driven Framework , which is scheduled for launch next year.

The institute advocates for policies that are contextualised and tailored to the socio-economic and market conditions of each locality. Furthermore, it was emphasised that net disposable income, rather than gross household income, offers a more accurate and mean ingful indicator for affordability assessments, providing a clearer reflection of actual spending capa city. The institute underscored that social housing is a shared res ponsibility, requiring joint support from the government and all stakeholders, moving beyond the current perception that it is solely the developer’s burden. Ng affirmed that stronger colla boration across the industry is vital for sustainable and impactful implementation. A key area for immediate action, he added, is the unlocking and utilisation of idle land, especially parcels initially designated for schools, facilities or public amenities but which remain underutilised or oversupplied. In a significant proposal, Ng put forward the concept of sharing the burden of cross-subsidy more broadly across the industry. The institute proposed a detailed study to ascertain how other stakeholders, including financial institutions such as banks, could

o Rehda Institute emphasises need for dynamic, data-driven and collaborative strategies to tackle challenges after roundtable of over 100 stakeholders

PETALING JAYA: Rehda Institute has reinforced calls for a funda mental rethink and comprehensive review of Malaysia’s housing policies, particularly focusing on the “Housing for All” agenda. This urgent statement follows a roundtable held on Wednesday, which brought together more than 100 housing stakeholders, com prising a diverse array of pro fessionals, academics, bankers, corporates, NGOs, think tanks and government authorities. The session was designed to foster constructive dialogue and featured presentations by Rehda Institute research and education director Malathi Thevendran. It was moderated by Rehda Malaysia immediate past president Datuk NK Tong and its roundtable groups facilitated by senior academic staff from Universiti Malaya. The event saw diverse parti cipation, underscoring its colla borative nature, and included repre sentatives from various key sectors, federal government agencies, a “From KL, it’s about 30 to 40 minutes if there’s no traffic. Connectivity is very good, and this area is already well matured.” Syed Ali highlighted the project’s adoption of modern security tech nology, including a digital lockset, face identity features and password enabled access systems, which he said differentiates Bayu Timur from earlier developments. Construction is currently at the substructure phase, with piling works nearing completion. Positioned as a low-density, lifestyle-focused development, Bayu Timur offers 518 units across four blocks on an eight-acre site, with a mix of low-rise and high-rise components. Built-ups range from 1,000 sq ft to 1,280 sq ft, with dual-key layouts available for buyers seeking flexibility. Units are priced from RM500,000 and come with a move-in-ready package that includes fully fitted bathrooms, kitchen cabinets with hood and hob, a digital lockset, instant water heater and air-conditioning units. The development also features multiple en suite bathrooms and private balconies, which the developer says cater to modern lifestyle preferences.

senior housing representative from the Negeri Sembilan government, state housing boards from Pahang, Perak, Penang and Selangor, as well as local authorities from Klang, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Kuantan, Pasir Gudang and Seberang Perai. Drawing upon the insights and collective views from the 100 stakeholders in the roundtable, Rehda Institute chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip, in his concluding remarks, emphasised the critical need for dynamic, data driven and collaborative strategies to effectively address the nation’s housing challenges. He also highlighted the necessity for regular review of the existing housing quota policy. “The intent is not to dismantle the quota system, but rather to adjust it responsibly as market and socio-economic forces shift,” he clarified, stressing that a uniform, one size-fits-all approach across all states and districts has proven ineffective, often resulting in mismatches between supply and demand. Residents will have access to over 30 lifestyle facilities, including a swim ming pool, gymnasium, multi purpose hall, co-working space, child ren’s playground, BBQ area and a three-tier security system. The project incorporates two acres of landscaped greenery and fronts the Kemuning Golf Course, for un obstructed views and a resort-like living environment. Berjaya Land executive director Tan Tee Ming said the project’s layout and land size allow for a thoughtfully designed communal experience. “If you look at the scale model, the facilities occupy a substantial portion of the central area. That is something we cannot typically achieve in Kuala Lumpur, because land is more limited. Here, we can provide more breathing space.” He added that many of Berjaya Land’s previous buyers are upgrading from landed homes, attracted by modern conveniences, improved security and the low-density environment. “The surrounding township con tinues to grow in vibrancy, which enhances everyday convenience. This is the kind of development that reinforces Berjaya Land’s reputation for delivering projects that support real quality of life,” he said.

Berjaya Land launches RM398m Bayu Timur Residences in Kota Kemuning

From left: Tan, Syed Ali and Berjaya Land group executive director Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Zin at the grand launch of Bayu Timur in Kota Kemuning. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Located within a 10-minute drive from Shah Alam, Subang, and Klang, Bayu Timur is surrounded by a range of amenities, including Lotus’s, Aeon Big, Giant, Columbia Asia Hospital,

international schools and commercial hubs. The sales gallery is located at Bayu Timur Sales Gallery, Jalan Sungai Rasau C32/C, Seksyen 32, Shah Alam.