By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government remains steadfast in ensuring every Sabahan has access to quality, affordable and sustainable housing.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Arif said while the government provides the policy framework and public housing initiatives, the private sector remains an indispensable partner in meeting Sabah’s growing housing needs.
The property sector remains an important pillar of Sabah’s economy, generating employment, attracting investment and stimulating a wide range of supporting industries, he said when opening the 25th Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) Property Expo 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
He acknowledged that many developers had reported moderate increases in construction and regulatory compliance costs, which are expected to result in corresponding increases in the prices of new residential properties.
“While the industry continues to face an increasingly challenging cost environment, it remains imperative to ensure that housing continues to be accessible and affordable, particularly for first-time homebuyers and those in the B40 and M40 income groups,” he said.
He said the situation called for closer and sustained collaboration between the government and the property industry.
In this regard, the ministry has been working closely with Shareda, local authorities and other stakeholders to improve the efficiency of development approval processes.
The efforts include streamlining procedures, reducing administrative delays and advancing the adoption of digital platforms for planning and development approvals.
He said the initiatives are aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening transparency and reducing holding costs for developers, while maintaining regulatory standards and good governance.
At the same time, he encouraged the industry to embrace innovation, improve productivity and adopt responsible planning practices guided by genuine market demand and long-term sustainability.
He said the ministry would continue engaging stakeholders to explore practical measures to support housing affordability and ensure a resilient and sustainable property market.
‘While the industry continues to face an increasingly challenging cost environment, it remains imperative to ensure that housing continues to be accessible and affordable, particularly for first-time homebuyers and those in the B40 and M40 income groups’ – Arifin
