No anti-competition practices found in Malaysian housing market, says deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR (June 24): A study by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has found no evidence of anti-competitive practices involving housing prices or residential property packages in the housing market, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Wednesday.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said that, apart from various studies and monitoring exercises conducted by MyCC, the commission had also not received any specific complaints regarding anti-competitive practices linked to house prices.

Citing the Malaysia House Price Index 2025 published by the National Property Information Centre, she said house prices recorded moderate and sustained growth throughout 2025.

“After reaching a growth rate of 4.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024, the rate gradually eased to 3.5% in the first quarter of 2025.

“It subsequently fell to its lowest level in the fourth quarter of 2025. This indicates that housing market prices have generally remained stable,” she said in reply to Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) during question time.

Fuziah said MyCC had undertaken several studies to determine whether anti-competitive elements exist within the housing sector and the construction material supply chain that could affect house prices.

Among the initiatives were investigations involving sand operators in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and a market review of construction materials covering four key products, namely steel, cement, ready-mixed concrete and sand.

She said the review of cement prices was carried out because cement is a major contributor to construction costs and, by extension, housing prices.

“The findings showed that increases in cement prices were driven by higher raw material costs, particularly coal, as well as rising production expenses, including energy and fuel costs, and logistics and transportation costs linked to geographical factors and plant locations,” she said.

Fuziah added that MyCC also monitors government procurement processes to detect possible bid-rigging activities, including those related to the housing sector. However, no investigations involving government housing projects have been initiated to date.

She said the ministry would also consider Ismail's proposal to establish a more accessible public reporting mechanism for homebuyers to lodge complaints about suspicious practices or sales pressure exerted by property agents and developers.

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