Friday, January 2, 2009

Housing Issues In Malaysia

Malaysia just like other developing countries which suffered from the Housing Problems as the other developing country. To most individuals housing represents the largest single investment item of a lifetime.

This is especially true as family incomes increase and housing viewed
less as a basic consumption and more as a key to a secure future. Developing
countries have learned that the provision of decent housing for all cannot be left to
the play of the market forces alone.

Whereas the well-to-do few have no trouble in obtaining comfortable homes, the majority of families in the developing countries go without adequate housing and related facilities. Therefore, the Malaysia governments found it necessary to intervene in the production of housing for their population


Under the Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000) and Eight Malaysia Plan (2001-
2005), Malaysian government are committed to provide adequate, affordable and
quality housing for all Malaysian, particularly the low income group. This is in line
with Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlement and Habitat Agenda (1996) to
ensure adequate shelter for all.


In this context, the Federal Government also included for the first time low medium cost housing category in the Seventh Malaysia Plan for the medium low income group with salary ranged
between RM1,501 to RM2,500 per month with target of 350,000 units are to be
built during the plan period. Unfortunately only 72,582 units or 20.7% from the target units were built nationwide at the end of the Seventh Malaysia Plan.

The objective of the Government is not achieved due to the many of the local developer refuse to develop low medium cost housing to the public as their feels that this kind development is consider as non-profitable development.

Therefore, instead having the current Housing Issues, now the Housing Industry in Malaysia is facing a new Issues.

Overview of the Housing Issues in Malaysia are as follow:
  • High Demand in Low and Medium Housing
  • Affordable and Quality Housing
  • Homeless Issues
  • Squatters Issues
  • Uncooperative of Private Developers in Housing Development