“The only way for the [property] market to move to the next level, is for the Malay market to be fully activated. The Malay market has not been made fully aware about property investment, even now."

The safeguard duty has resulted in a significant increase in raw material costs.

The number of properties launched in the second half of 2016 (2H2016) almost doubled from 1H2016. Sales in the second half also improved by more than 100% from 1H2016, according to a survey among members of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda).

Speaking during a media briefing on Rehda’s Property Industry Survey 2H2016 and Market Outlook 1H2017, president Datuk Seri FD Iskandar Mohamed Mansor said measures taken by the government to reduce household debt have seen some results as the latest rate was down from 89.3% to 87.6%.

“Wanting to own a home in Kuala Lumpur city centre for less than RM500,000, that is not very realistic. That’s why we also urge the media, the National House Buyers Association (HBA) and the government to help educate our buyers,” said Rehda president Datuk Seri FD Iskandar Mohamed Mansor in a media briefing on Rehda’s Property Industry Survey 2H2016 this morning.

The judges of the TheEdgeProperty.com Malaysia’s Best Managed Property Awards 2017.

The rejection rate for housing loans is as high as 60%, causing property sales to remain sluggish, says the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda).

Although the overall transaction volume has fallen, Penang’s housing market looks more resilient than other major markets such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor, based on transaction volume, said TheEdgeProperty.com product and business development director Alvin Ong.

Rehda says association will ask government to include it in the scheme.

If developers adopt the core housing development concept, house prices could come down by 30% to 40%, said past president of the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Datuk Ng Seing Liong.