“Banks have become a lot stricter on giving housing loans over the years but we found people have been continuously servicing their loans as they want to keep their houses.”

On the formulation of the Residential Tenancy Act  to protect tenants’ rights and avoid discrimination, Sarkunan Subramaniam pointed out that the Residential Tenancy Act has to focus on not only protecting the tenant but also the landlord as many such acts in the world tend to “overfavour” the tenant rather than the landlord.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the stamp duty waivers are applicable for unsold properties that have been completed or under construction during the six month-HOC 2019 period from Jan 1, 2019 to June 30.

HBA secretary general Datuk Chang Kim Loong: It is time for Rehda to face reality and start building more properties that the Rakyat can afford to buy. As for the current glut, the developers can either give more discounts or perhaps launch their own ‘Rent-to-Own’ programme to help the lower and middle income groups.

Organisation also wants greater push for the build-then-sell (BTS) concept.

“Back in 1999 it was an Asian situation, but back then, there was no severe overbuilding and the number of overhang units now is something we’ve never seen before,” said Penang Rehda’s former chairman.

“The various stakeholders need to take a close look at affordable housing developments. It shouldn’t be carried out emotionally but must be done with a clear mind and with thorough market research.”

Datuk Soam Heng Choon: If people want landed homes and you build high rise, people won't buy. If you build a house that is RM1 million where people are earning RM3,000 [a month] then nobody will buy.

Many young Malaysians trying to obtain home loans are National Higher Education Fund Corp (PTPTN) loan defaulters and this affects their credit profile.

EdgeProp.my has dug into the archives and found some of the best throwback pictures of six property personalities, namely Eco World Development Group Bhd chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, Rehda president Datuk Soam Heng Choon, Rehda Institute chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip, Chur Associates managing partner Chris Tan and Ken Holdings Bhd executive chairman Datuk Kenny Tan and his son and the company’s group managing director Sam Tan.