Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government, via the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry, could have prudent price control by taking into account certain elements, such as the location and type of houses.
“This is logical not only in the interests of members of Cuepacs (Congress of Unions for Employees in the Public and Civil Service), but the public too.”
Cuepacs represents 1.6 million civil servants.
“Coming up with such proposals is not aimed at rejecting market forces but looking at the prices going up at a rapid rate rules out affordability of buyers.
“This will result in the failure of the house ownership policy,” he told a media conference after opening the 2016 Civil Servants Housing Convention here today.
Earlier, Cuepacs President Azih Muda suggested that the government review and revamp the National Housing Policy which was seen as no longer relevant, especially to civil servants wanting to own houses.
He suggested that the government interfere in deciding house prices and wanted the government to set up a land bank and buy land in strategic areas to build houses for civil servants in the future.
Azih also suggested that the government abolish the stamp duty charge imposed on civil servants buying their first house via the Public Sector Home Financing Board.
Zahid said he would bring all the suggestions and views of Cuepacs to the Cabinet meeting next week.
Commenting further on the suggestions, Zahid said it was apt to set up a land bank aimed to obtain land in strategic areas to build houses for civil servants in the future.
This would also fulfil the aspiration of the government to ensure all civil servants owned homes by the time they retired.
Zahid urged the National Housing Department to take action to revive 18 housing projects which had been bought by civil servants, including Armed Forces members.
He said 12 of these projects were in Kelantan.
The situation had resulted in buyers having to pay the instalments for their abandoned homes while renting homes elsewhere.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, urged buyers of houses at abandoned projects to unite and take legal action against these errant housing developers.
The two-day Civil Servant Housing Convention, organised by Cuepacs with the cooperation of the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement Bhd, saw the participation of 1,000 civil servants.
Themed “Dream Home Ensures Quality of Life”, it was aimed at discussing issues, problems and challenges related to housing for civil servants. The resolutions will be submitted to the government.
– BERNAMA