By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Oct 29: The number of qualified real estate agents in Sarawak — particularly in Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu — is still low.
As real estate or property marketing is still a new business for Sarawak, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian hoped that more education courses would be conducted to meet the shortfall of agents faced by the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA).
“I understand that the standard set by the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers (BOVAEP) is very high; thus, I hope everyone will abide by the strict rules regulating the practice.
“I foresee there will be a continuous increase in demand for your services in the coming years because Sarawak has a healthy property market, and the demand and supply are well matched,” Dr Sim said at the MIEA Annual Dinner and Awards 2022 tonight, where his address was conveyed by Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee.
Dr Sim added that Sarawak’s achievement was made possible through the State Planning Authority, Land and Survey Department, and various local authorities. While global geopolitics has created concerns for all, he believes that international and domestic economic activities will continue.
For example, he said there were serious concerns during the recent pandemic. However, the world has learned to live with it, especially with the success of vaccination and control.
“In Malaysia, at the Federal level, the stamp duty exemption dateline has been further extended under i-Miliki while the stamp duty discount is 100 per cent for properties up to RM500,000.
“At the State level, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has been and will continue to provide Housing Deposit Assistance Schemes (HDAs) for loans taken via Mutiara Mortgage and Credit Sdn Bhd. The interest charged is only one per cent. In addition, the State government has approved the Strata Management Ordinance 2019 effective March 1, 2022, whilst the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations came into effect on June 1, 2022,” he said.
With the above implementation, Dr Sim hoped that both housing developers and purchasers of these properties would be aware of each party’s obligations.
Citing the increase in applications for the Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H), he said it is due to the dynamic leadership of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in promoting Sarawak at the national and international levels.
“With MIEA members’ help in promoting this programme to more applicants, this will help Sarawak’s tourism and foreign and domestic investments; thus, increase in demand for housing properties as well as tourism-related properties. Our ministry also hopes that MIEA can help to educate the buyers on their duties, obligations, and rights when purchasing such properties,” Dr Sim emphasised.
Meanwhile, Kozin Real Estate Sdn Bhd from Sarawak emerged as National Real Estate Firm of the Year (for the Small Firm Category), and Emily Loo from Affluence Properties won the Sarawak Real Estate Negotiator of the Year. — DayakDaily
