By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 22: The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) hopes that the long-awaited amendments to the Housing Development (Control & Licensing) Ordinance 2013 and Housing Development (Control & Licensing) Regulations 2014 will be tabled at the next Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting, saying the changes are urgently needed to ease time and cost pressures on developers and ensure the timely delivery of affordable, high-quality homes.
Its president Augustine Wong stressed that developers are racing against time and facing rising costs, and that the proposed amendments would provide the necessary regulatory support to keep housing supply both accessible and sustainable.
“Developers are in a time crunch and the proposed amendments will greatly help us in planning and delivering high quality homes. When homes are delivered in a way that is available, affordable and accessible, we improve the balance and sustainability of supply and demand in the market,” he said at the opening of the Sheda Property Expo 2025 and Sheda:Encore Conference 2025 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
The event was officiated by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian representing Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Wong also urged the Sarawak government to consider extending financial resources from the Levy Trust Fund and Housing Deposit and Repayment Assistance Scheme (HDRAS) to eligible purchasers for buying suitable homes in the open market, particularly as families face reduced disposable income due to Sales and Services Tax (SST) expansion.
He further requested the government to provide a grant for Sheda:Encore to strengthen its role as a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in the property sector.
Wong lauded Premier’s commitment to Sarawak’s dynamic growth, noting that government support had encouraged Sheda to communicate more openly, introduce problem-solving platforms and explore cross-industry collaborations.
He said Sheda recognises that in today’s climate, prosperity and profitability are measured not only in financial terms but also in alignment with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
“As developers, we agree that reducing environmental impact whilst still delivering economic value is a win-win situation.
“We are even open to policies that aim to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, achieve carbon neutral footprints or even convert demolition waste into alternative construction products, as long as such policies sufficiently address constraints and concerns of industry players within the built environment,” he explained.
Wong highlighted the appeal of adopting Industrialised Building System (IBS) technologies, green building certifications and ESG guidelines, which he said could help reduce time and cost while boosting investor and consumer confidence.
On the new Sheda Institute logo, he said it symbolises the association’s commitment to independent and relevant industry research.
He expressed confidence that under Abang Johari’s leadership, Sarawak’s property sector would continue to thrive, with Sheda Institute and Sheda:Encore serving as vital bridges between aspiration, academia and industry application.
“Property development is a numbers game. But with the right policies, support and collaboration, we can continue to deliver economic value, environmental responsibility and social benefits to Sarawak,” Wong said.
The event also witnessed Alumaster, under the trusted Classic Emas brand, becoming the first aluminium solutions provider in Sarawak to receive both the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) certification (MS832:2022 and MS1017:2022), setting a new benchmark for the State’s building and construction industry.
Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing Datuk Michael Tiang, CIDB Malaysia chairman Ir Yusuf Abd Wahab, Sheda deputy president Louis Ting and organising chairman of Sheda Property Expo 2025 Peter Lau were among those present. — DayakDaily
