KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Budget 2026 has been tabled and The Edge asked property players — property developers and associations — about their views on what has been shared.
Mah Sing calls for revival of Home Ownership Campaign to sustain market momentum
Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) urged the government to consider reintroducing the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC), citing its proven impact in easing homebuyers’ financial burden and stimulating the broader property market.
The property developer said in a press statement issued on Friday that the HOC, which previously offered stamp duty exemptions and incentives, had encouraged genuine homeownership, especially among first-time buyers.
“A renewed HOC would not only encourage genuine homeownership, especially among first-time buyers, but also help sustain market momentum in 2026,” said Mah Sing’s founder and group managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum in the statement.
He added that the company remains committed to supporting national homeownership goals through affordably priced projects in prime, well-connected locations.
Mah Sing founder and group managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum said a renewed HOC would not only encourage genuine homeownership, especially among first-time buyers, but also help sustain market momentum in 2026.
Meanwhile, the group also welcomed several Budget 2026 measures to support the housing sector, including the full stamp duty exemption for first homes priced up to RM500,000, which has been extended until Dec 31, 2027.
Mah Sing also commended the increase in financing eligibility under the Lembaga Pembiayaan Perumahan Sektor Awam (LPPSA) from RM600,000 to RM1 million, which it said reflects current market prices and salary trends.
The group added that government efforts to strengthen the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which has attracted RM66.1 billion in total investments so far, will further enhance regional growth and housing demand. Moreover, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link would boost cross-border connectivity and generate positive spillover effects for its Johor projects, which include Meridin East and M Minori.
MBAM: RM81 billion Budget 2026 allocation signals infrastructure push
MBAM president Oliver HC Wee welcomed Budget 2026’s infrastructure development fund, but hopes future projects will be channelled to Peninsular Malaysia.
The Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) has welcomed the RM81 billion development expenditure allocated under Budget 2026, describing it as a critical boost for infrastructure and construction activity nationwide.
“The MBAM commends the government’s proactive measures in Budget 2026, which prioritises key infrastructure projects and underscores the critical role of the construction sector in driving Malaysia’s socio-economic development, particularly in transportation and housing. However, we hope there will be more projects allocated for Peninsular Malaysia moving forward,” said MBAM president Oliver HC Wee.
MBAM said the funds, which support the nation’s entry into the 13th Malaysia Plan, are essential for sustaining infrastructure growth while laying the foundation for long-term socio-economic development.
The association also highlighted mounting industry challenges such as volatile building material prices and increased operating costs.
It raised concern over the new sales and service tax (SST) on construction services and urged the government to apply the tax only to contracts signed after Jan 1, 2026, to protect contractors bound by fixed-price agreements.
The MBAM further called for targeted incentives to support the adoption of modern technologies such as the Industrialised Building System (IBS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM), as well as the use of green building materials.
“A predictable project flow allows industry players to invest in capacity and skills with confidence,” Wee said, adding that government-backed incentives will support a more resilient and technologically advanced sector.
Rehda lauds govt’s continued support for homebuyers in Budget 2026
Rehda president Datuk Ho Hon Sang expressed concern over the proposal to raise the stamp duty for foreign residential ownership from 4% to 8%.
The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia welcomed the government’s Budget 2026, describing it as a continuation of the Madani administration’s reformist agenda that aims to revive and rejuvenate the nation.
In a statement issued on Friday, Rehda lauded the government’s continued support for homebuyers, particularly first-time purchasers, through the extension of the stamp duty exemption for memorandum of transfers and loan agreements for properties priced up to RM500,000 until December 2027. The association also commended the expansion of the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) to RM20 billion, which is expected to benefit some 80,000 future homeowners.
Rehda said these measures would help strengthen the housing market while supporting national goals of improving homeownership and inclusivity under the 13th Malaysia Plan. It also noted the extension of the Youth Housing Financing Scheme under the Public Sector Home Financing Board (LPPSA) and the increase of financing to RM1 million, which would make it easier for homeowners to upgrade their living conditions.
The association added that it looks forward to further clarification on the announced tax exemption for the modification and conversion of commercial buildings into residential properties, saying this would ease financial pressure on developers and promote urban regeneration.
“We hope the prime minister’s call for financial institutions to support rent-to-own schemes will produce positive outcomes, especially for the middle-income group who are not eligible for affordable housing but struggle to afford higher-priced homes,” said Rehda president Datuk Ho Hon Sang in the statement.
However, he expressed concern over the proposal to raise the stamp duty for foreign residential ownership from 4% to 8%, warning that this could deter foreign investors and contradict the government’s aspirations to attract more international investments.
“On behalf of the industry, we hope the allocation of RM470 billion under the fourth Madani budget will have a positive impact on the nation’s economy, including the housing and property sector,” said Ho.
Rehda reaffirmed its commitment to nation-building by providing quality and affordable homes for the rakyat in a timely and sustainable manner.
UEM Sunrise: Budget 2026 could catalyse growth opportunities for housing sector
UEM Sunrise CFO Hafizuddin Sulaiman said Budget 2026’s measures on housing affordability, infrastructure connectivity, urban liveability and civil service salary restructuring could catalyse growth opportunities in the housing sector.
Budget 2026 is a timely instrument for strengthening the economy and promoting inclusive development, in alignment with the national agenda, according to UEM Sunrise Bhd (KL:UEMS) officer-in-charge and chief financial officer Hafizuddin Sulaiman.
He said Budget 2026’s measures on housing affordability, infrastructure connectivity, urban liveability and civil service salary restructuring could catalyse growth opportunities in the housing sector.
The inclusion of targeted subsidies and sustainability measures further demonstrates the government’s commitment to long-term structural improvements, he added.
UEM Sunrise also expressed support for initiatives to improve housing access, including rent-to-own and build-then-sell schemes.
“These measures strengthen our resolve and commitment to deliver long-term value to stakeholders while contributing to the national development agenda,” Hafizuddin said.
He said the company remains focused on working with government and corporate partners to develop sustainable urban solutions and raise the quality of life for Malaysians.
Click here for all you need to know about Malaysia’s Budget 2026.
