Rehda highlights quality, affordability measures at annual IHA interim meeting

• The annually held meeting was this time attended physically by members from countries including the US, Australia, Japan, Norway, Indonesia, and Malaysia and virtually via Zoom by those from Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, and South Africa.

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 6): The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) hosted the 2022 International Housing Association (IHA) interim meeting at the Rehda head office in Kelana Jaya from Aug 30 to Sept 2.

Rehda president Datuk Tong Nguen Khoong said in a press release: "Our membership in IHA is also part of our efforts to learn about the experiences these countries have gone through, and the measures that have been or currently being undertaken to mitigate them.

"For the years since our membership, we have found that the issues we face here in Malaysia are not uncommon with some of the other member countries, and the IHA meetings have proved to be a great source of information and a knowledge hub for us.

"Rehda strives to ensure that our members carry out our nation-building role of providing quality, affordable homes to the rakyat (people) effectively and efficiently. We believe that our participation in IHA will help us to achieve just that, and more," he added.

Rehda has been a member of IHA since 2018.

The annually held meeting was this time attended physically by members from countries including the US, Australia, Japan, Norway, Indonesia, and Malaysia and virtually via Zoom by those from Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, and South Africa.

During the four-day interim meeting session, various working group discussions and presentations were held, covering topics such as legislative and regulatory requirements pertaining to industry, social housing, and housing affordability.

Delegates who were present also met with director general of the National Housing Department under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Jayaselan Navaratnam, during a short visit on Sept 1 while other site visits included the TRX Residences, Gamuda Cove, and three projects in Setia Alam, namely De Cemara and ByWater Homes by S P Setia Bhd, and Eco Ardence by Eco World Development Group Bhd.

IHA secretariat and National Association of Home Builders US chief operating officer Deborah Malone said: "We were honoured with the opportunity to visit a few local developments as well as [the Ministry of Housing and Local Government] following the IHA meeting.

"The IHA members were very pleased to have the opportunity to learn of the forward-thinking housing strategy developed by the ministry, particularly the efforts to embrace and plan for a changing housing market which reflects the needs and desires of the population, inclusive of the younger generation, which we find impressive.

"The significant efforts underway to provide eco-friendly, consumer-focused, housing communities are astounding and Malaysia is clearly a leader in leveraging best practices to provide high-quality housing. I was in awe with the construction taking place at Gamuda Cove, Tun Razak Exchange, Setia Alam, and Eco Ardence. The Malaysian housing industry undoubtedly has a bright future and we are all fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from our colleagues here."

IHA was established 35 years ago to provide a unique housing policy and solutions forum, bringing together housing sector leaders from countries around the world. The IHA's growing membership spans 13 nations from six continents and includes both developed and developing countries.