By Yip Wai Fong
PETALING JAYA: Rehda Institute has called for a data-driven housing framework based on actual market demand which it says is better able to deliver homeownership opportunities for all Malaysians.
Its latest study finds that cross-subsidisation embedded in the current housing development framework has resulted in structural distortion and placed greater affordability pressure on middle-income households.
At a press conference, Rehda Institute chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng said this is reflected in the 2024 data from the Statistics Department, where the homeownership rate for B40 (76.3%) has exceeded that of M40 (75.9%). Additionally, affordable housing priced at RM300,000 and below accounts for nearly half of the 32,800 units of unsold completed homes in Q1 2026, despite the study finding that households earning RM3,000–RM4,999 a month form the country’s largest group.
Among the study recommendations are for periodical review of housing quotas and requirements and improving transparency and efficiency in the bumiputera quota release mechanism, instead of continued reliance on cross-subsidisation to deliver price-controlled housing.
While it acknowledges the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT)’s commitment to resolving affordable housing challenges, Rehda Institute said it should be complemented by more dynamic, data-driven and collaborative policymaking. This requires data collected by separate agencies to be integrated for a more accurate analysis by industry experts and to inform better policy-making.
“KPKT has introduced real-time information collection platforms like HIMS, Napic and Teduh but what is more important is, why not gather groups such as Rehda Institute, DOSM and other research houses to analyse (the data) and come up with ideas and strategies?” Ng said.
Research and Education director Malathi Thevendran said the study also recommends innovation in financing options to improve access to homeownership.
“We call for a tiered-financing system to be considered because incomes grow over time. We strongly believe financial institutions should structure certain types of financing. We hope to engage with Bank Negara but we haven’t had the opportunity as yet,” Malathi said.
The report will be launched on July 28th and parts of the findings and recommendations will be further explored at the Rehda Institute Regional Housing Conference 2026 on July 29th.
Also present were Rehda Malaysia national treasurer Datuk David Lim Boon Huat, secretary general Datuk Tan Hon Lim, Rehda Institute trustees Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok, Datuk Mustaza Mohamad, Datuk Ng Seing Liong and chief operating officer David Chong.
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