KUCHING: The Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA) has outlined a three-point wish list for the Sarawak Government, urging support to ease home ownership, expedite legislative amendments, and strengthen industry-driven knowledge platforms.
SHEDA’s President, Augustine C.H. Wong, said the association’s first request is for financial resources from the Levy Trust Fund/Housing Deposit & Repayment Assistance Scheme (HDRAS) to be extended to eligible homebuyers for the purchase of suitable homes from the open market.
“Given the expansion of SST, more families now have less disposable income with which to purchase homes,” he said in his speech at the SHEDA Property Expo 2025 opening ceremony at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
The second request is for amendments to the Housing Development (Control & Licensing) Ordinance 2013 and the Housing Development (Control & Licensing) Regulations 2014 to be tabled in the next Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
“Developers are in a time crunch and the proposed amendments will greatly help us in planning and delivering high quality homes,” Wong stressed, adding that the amendments would improve market balance and sustainability.
The third item is a grant for ‘SHEDA: Encore’, the association’s real estate conference that serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and industry collaboration.
The inaugural conference will be held tomorrow (Saturday, August 23) in conjunction with the property expo, featuring discussions on low-carbon townships, material innovations for greener housing and sustainable financing.
Wong also revealed SHEDA Institute’s new logo, symbolising its commitment to produce relevant and independent research for the property sector.
He also said as developers, SHEDA 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 Greenhouse 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.
“As developers and entrepreneurs, we understand that resilience is built, not in the absence of difficulties but rather, when we work through complexities and invent workable solutions,” Wong added.
“However, we are not magicians. In order to effect the extent of change in approach and methodology consistently applied throughout Sarawak, developers are dependent on the government’s political will to drive changes in legislation, processes and procedures.”
Featuring 52 booths, the expo runs from August 22 to 24 and offers a rich line-up of activities, including educational talks on topics ranging from property market trends to mental health and home fengshui.
Visitors also have the chance to win fantastic prizes, including the grand prize of RM888.
The expo is also hosting several community-driven initiatives, including a blood donation drive, the GoBald campaign, and a kids’ colouring contest in collaboration with Smart Reader Kids.
SHEDA Property Expo 2025 organising chairman, Peter Lau, said that the expo serves as a one-stop hub where homebuyers can find inspiration for their ideal living spaces, and developers can engage with innovative trends.
“It is a place where industry players and the community can connect, collaborate, and contribute to the future of Sarawak’s built environment,” he added.
