Two Bodies Object To Move To
Raise Price Of Low-cost Houses
22/08/2007 Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Two associations today stated their
objection to a proposal by the Real Estate and Housing Developers
Association (REHDA) to raise the price of low-cost houses from the current
RM42,000 to RM60,000.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) and the National
House Buyers Association (HBA) felt that the move would only burden the
low-income people even more.
Fomca President Datuk N. Marimuthu asked why the issue was being raised now.
"Although the salary of government employees has gone up, it was not the
basis for raising the price of low-cost houses. I hope the government will
warn REHDA not to raise the matter again," he told Bernama.
HBA Secretary-General Chang Kim Loong said the new price proposed by REHDA
was too high and beyond the reach of the low-income people.
"REHDA should in fact be considering its social responsibility," he said.
A news report today had quoted REHDA Deputy President Datuk Michael Yam as
asking the government to consider a proposal to raise the price of low-cost
houses from RM42,000 to RM60,000 owing to an increase in the cost of
building materials.
Yam said developers found it hard to absorb the higher costs and added that
the request to raise the price was reasonable as it had remained at that
level since 1998.
-- BERNAMA |