KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will consider allocating state land to the  Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) to build affordable  homes for the B40 and M40 categories in Sabah. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has called upon Shareda to work  with the State Government to provide affordable homes for the people. 

“On our part, we are willing to consider allocating government land in Sepanggar near  here to be developed by Shareda. This is on condition that the prices of these houses  are lowered to be within reach of the intended B40 and M40 groups who will benefit most  from this development.  

“This is also the State Government’s commitment to progress the real estate industry,”  he said at the Shareda Nite at the Magellan Sutera Resort here tonight. 

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II/Local Government and Housing  Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam. 

According to him, providing houses to those in the low-income bracket is the priority of  the State Government at the moment, much in line with the RM125.6 million Rumah  Mesra SMJ in all 73 state constituencies in Sabah.  

The Chief Minister was also glad to note that Shareda has been proactive in raising  issues related to the industry, among them on the perimeters and adjustments for  Sabah’s MM2H, the proposal for the 99 years leasehold to be renewed at any point in  the tenure and; implementation of i-Miliki, another affordability assistance measures  similar to the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC). 

On Sabah Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H), he said the relevant enactment in the  revised SMM2H will soon be tabled at the State Legislative Assembly.  

“I have reiterated that when SMM2H takes off, we expect an influx of talent, expertise  and investments, which will benefit Sabah. The SMM2H programme, with inputs from  various stakeholders including Shareda, has been fine-tuned to make Sabah more  attractive to foreigners wishing to move to and live in the state,” he said.

Hajiji also agreed in principle to allow Bumiputera lot buyers to liquidate their properties  without delay and enable them to benefit from the sale of properties to local and foreign  buyers. 

He said he had discussed the matter with Shareda President Datuk Chua Soon Ping to  unlock the release mechanism of Bumiputera lots from five to zero years for all new  developments in Sabah. 

“I have informed the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to look into this matter  and to take the necessary action. Bumiputera owners will continue to enjoy the special  discount of five per cent for the Bumiputera lots,” he said. 

Hajiji said the State Government is committed to supporting Green Building technology  to encourage more developers in Sabah to build projects that comply with Green  initiatives.  

“This is where the entire industry is moving towards globally, and the State Government  wants to ensure this is also adopted locally,” he said. 

Ends