Latest news with #Rehda
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Johor MB: Over RM2 million allocated to upgrade digital systems at state land office to ease transactions
JOHOR BARU, June 18 — The Johor government has allocated over RM2 million to upgrade the digital systems of the state's Land and Mines Office (PTG) to improve transaction processes, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced today. Of the total, RM1.55 million is earmarked for upgrading the Computerised Land Registration System (SPTB) portal. 'This includes enhancements to the Johor PTG's e-submission, e-search, and e-consent digital services. Online private searches for strata titles are now available and will soon be extended to landed titles as well,' he said in a statement. An additional RM500,000 has been allocated for developing the e-SBKS system, scheduled to launch in September. 'The e-SBKS system will significantly reduce the time required for land grant returns from 510 days to just 53 days per transaction,' Onn Hafiz said. He added that the state government is also considering raising the levy fee for property acquisition approvals by foreign interests to address operational costs. 'The proposed levy increase is from two per cent with a minimum of RM20,000 to three per cent with a minimum of RM30,000. 'Additionally, the registration fee for land transfer transactions involving properties valued at RM500,000 and above will see an additional RM500 charge for every RM100,000 increase in property valuation,' he explained. Onn Hafiz said the proposal was discussed with stakeholders, including the Johor Real Estate and Housing Developers Association of Malaysia (Rehda) and the Johor Bar Committee. He noted that the levy rate for foreign property acquisitions has remained unchanged since 2014, while land transfer registration fees have not been revised since 2004. 'This initiative demonstrates the state government's commitment to enhancing public service delivery, making it more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the people's needs,' he said. The improvements aim to ease processes for residents, expedite land transaction approvals, and bolster investor confidence in Johor's public service system. Onn Hafiz also highlighted additional work process enhancements by the Johor PTG, which have significantly shortened processing times. 'For instance, approvals for foreign interests have been reduced from 70 to 21 days, while local transactions have been cut from 14 to seven days,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
No SST on residential properties under HDA, says Nga
Only 2% of building material tariff codes are affected by the SST hike, according to the housing and local government ministry. PETALING JAYA : The housing and local government ministry has clarified that residential properties sold under the Housing Development Act (HDA) remain exempt from the expanded sales and service tax (SST). Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said this covers all residential buildings, including serviced apartments with commercial land titles, provided they are intended for residential use and fall under the scope of the HDA. 'The SST exemption is determined by either the land title or the intended use of the property,' he said in a statement today after consulting with finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan. The clarification comes after receiving feedback from industry players about the expanded SST framework that begins from July 1 and its possible impact on housing costs. Groups like the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) and the Master Builders Association Malaysia had warned of cost pressures and disruptions to ongoing projects and businesses. Under the new tax regime, a 6% service tax will be imposed on construction services for infrastructure, commercial, and industrial buildings, if the taxable value exceeds RM1.5 million annually. Nga also addressed fears over cascading taxes, saying that a business-to-business (B2B) exemption mechanism ensures the service tax is imposed only once along the value chain. He said the sales tax for basic construction materials such as cement, aggregates and sand remains at 0%. Out of 400 tariff codes related to building materials, he said, tax hikes apply to only eight, including items like laminated glass and vats, affecting just 2% of materials. Contractors may also separate material costs from service charges, allowing the SST to be applied solely to construction services. 'The housing and local government ministry remains committed to working with the finance ministry and key stakeholders to ensure fair tax implementation, protect homebuyers' interests, and support a sustainable housing sector,' Nga said. 'The ministry remains committed to preserving housing affordability and protecting homebuyers' interests under the revised SST framework.'
Daily Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Developers warn 6 pct SST could push up housing prices
Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KUALA LUMPUR: A 6 per cent sales and service tax (SST) on construction services starting July 1 could push up housing prices and stall the property market, the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) warned, The Edge Malaysia reported on Friday. Rehda said the tax would increase developers' financial burden, who already pay indirect taxes on labour and materials, potentially forcing project delays and price adjustments. Advertisement Its president Datuk Ho Hon Sang said the market could slow as developers review their plans, adding that the retrospective application of the tax may lead to cost overruns. Although residential homes and related public amenities are exempt, Rehda expressed concern over serviced apartments on commercial land and shop lot units in mixed-use developments now being taxed. Rehda urged the government to postpone the SST rollout and grant a grace period until 2026 to avoid impacting affordability, especially for low-income buyers under housing schemes. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Right to Charge Part 2: Adapting Global Policies to Malaysia's Unique Context
LAST week we examined Malaysia's electric vehicle (EV) landscape, the challenges posed by its multi-unit housing structure, and the global 'Right to Charge' models that could inform Malaysia's approach. This week let's explore how these global policies can be adapted to Malaysia's unique context, considering its legal framework, property governance structures, climate conditions, and socioeconomic factors. Creating an effective 'Right to Charge' framework for Malaysia requires more than simply copying policies from other countries. It demands a thoughtful adaptation that respects Malaysia's existing legal structures while providing clear pathways for residents to install EV charging infrastructure at their homes. According to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, as of 2023, Malaysia had over 23,000 stratified schemes with about 7.4 million residents. Any 'Right to Charge' legislation must work within or strategically amend this framework. Let's start with the basics, Malaysia's stratified properties are governed by the Strata Management Act 2013, which creates a distinct legal environment for implementing 'Right to Charge' policies. The dual ownership structure in stratified properties means individual units are privately owned while common areas are collectively owned and this requires careful consideration especially for older and more common type of arrangements. In newer developments where parking bays have individual strata titles, a streamlined approval process with minimal restrictions could be implemented but most developments parking spaces are owned collectively and here is where attention is needed. To make this work there has to be a standardised application process that includes a defined timeline for management corporation response (let's say 30-60 days) and it has to clearly define criteria for what constitutes reasonable grounds for denial and, perhaps more drastically, default approval is issued if there is no response within the specified timeline. To help it along, the Strata Management (Maintenance and Management) Regulations 2015 could be amended to include specific provisions for EV charging installations, creating a standardised process nationwide. This would address the current situation where, according to a 2023 survey by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda), 72 per cent of management corporations have no formal process for handling EV charging requests. This correlates close to the Commissioner of Buildings which says, only 14 per cent of management corporations currently have by-laws addressing EV charging. Let's not get in the weeds but enough to suggest that amendments that explicitly recognise EV charging installations as permitted modifications to common property, subject to reasonable conditions. This would prevent blanket rejections while still allowing management corporations to establish reasonable guidelines. Perhaps specific provisions and bylaws that lays out standardises application and approval processes for all stratified properties can be drawn up for adoption by management corporations. These are rigorous technical requirements that may be well out of the reach of the typical management committee. It's also important to look at climate specific challenges for EV charging infrastructure so that all parties feel that this often little understood position has been properly considered. Factors like weather proofing standards should be developed for Malaysia, together with unique heat dissipation requirements and all that moisture in our air may require specific anti-corrosion specifications and in some areas there is a need for addressing flash flood protection. It's important not to brush aside any concerns raised because management boards are always worried about their liabilities should anything go wrong, sometimes something as simple as not having a shade over a charger may lead to overheating. Then there is the issue of maintenance. Schedule and type of work that should be carried out must be well understood, standardised and perhaps even codified to make clear areas of responsibilities of all parties involved and who should be responsible for liabilities should anything go wrong. Nobody wants to talk about things going wrong. Then there is the matter of who should bear the cost because some of it are clearly individually born but others are forced on the common area. For example the cost of hacking and installation of cables to the individual chargers and all related requirements are born by the party requesting the installation, however the change in the aesthetics and comfort level in the common area is a cost born by all. It sounds petty but it will be raised and if it has not been properly considered, there will be no good answer to the question. When it comes to the financial aspect, the government may want to step in with an extension of the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) to specifically cover residential EV charging infrastructure. Perhaps a tax incentive similar to the current RM2,500 personal tax relief for EV charging could be created for management corporations and property owners and maybe Tenaga Nasional Bhd can develop special tariffs and infrastructure support programs specifically for residential EV charging, similar to their existing special industrial tariffs. Further amendments of legislations including the Electricity Supply Act and building by laws will be required to create a comprehensive legal framework that addresses the current regulatory gaps and there are a lot of gaps. According to legal experts at the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), 87 per cent of current EV charging installations in multi-unit dwellings operate in a regulatory "gray area" due to the lack of specific legislation. Once we have worked out the specifics of the rules and regulations we must not forget about enforcement and dispute resolution that covers specifically EV charging issues. For example Strata Management Tribunal may need better defined jurisdiction over EV charging request disputes with clear compliance guidelines that explains what constitutes reasonable denial. These could include safety concerns that cannot be mitigated through standard engineering solutions, documented electrical capacity limitations that cannot be reasonably addressed and perhaps installation of the charger requires significant structural modifications that would compromise building integrity. The guidelines would address the current situation where, according anecdotal evidence a large portion of denied installation requests cite vague "safety concerns" without specific details. Adapting global 'Right to Charge' policies to Malaysia's context requires careful consideration of the country's unique legal framework, property governance structures, climate conditions, and socioeconomic factors. In the third and final article of this series, we will explore the implementation details, stakeholder roles, and a practical roadmap for putting this framework into action.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Rehda: Urban renewal needed to safeguard community well-being
KUALA LUMPUR: Urban renewal must be prioritised to protect public health and ensure the safety of communities, as many ageing strata properties are showing signs of severe deterioration, according to the Malaysian Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Institute. It said the issue was a key focus of the recent International Strata Symposium, held on April 8 and 9, in conjunction with Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean. The event brought together experts from Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia to discuss legal reforms and redevelopment strategies for ageing strata developments. Rehda Institute warned that inaction on urban renewal could accelerate property value decline and increase social and economic costs. 'Delaying intervention in areas experiencing urban decay risks worsening problems such as crime, economic stagnation, inequality and further devaluation of properties,' it said, Bernama reported. The institute highlighted early warning signs in parts of Kuala Lumpur, especially in ageing flats suffering from poor maintenance and a lack of reinvestment. It also cautioned that without timely intervention, these neighbourhoods could devolve into urban slums and added that strategic, policy-led reforms are critical to preventing long-term social fragmentation and avoiding costly repairs in the future. Regarding land rights concerns, Rehda Institute said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and policymakers have pledged legal protections for individual property ownership. 'These legal safeguards will support transparent, community-driven urban renewal and reinforce property rights,' it said.
