DEMOCRATIC Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) is open to discussions with the Sarawak government on addressing “exorbitant” house prices in the state.
According to Chong, the price of houses are considered to be the most expensive and unaffordable in Malaysia.
He explained there were numerous ways for the state government to lower house prices so that they would become affordable to the average salaryman.
“Due to time constraints for debating, I will not list those measures as they involve very detailed analyses and discussions.
“But if you care, I am open to discuss with policy makers in the Housing Ministry to share my opinion,” he told a press conference held at the august House yesterday.
Chong said “seriously unaffordable” house prices in the state based on the average ratio of house prices to income of Sarawakians in 2020 was a cause for concern.
He explained that it would take 30 years for the average Sarawakian homeowner to pay off their mortgage compared to 20 years in other parts of Malaysia.
“As a result, most young people in Sarawak are burdened with housing loans over 25 to 30 years unless they have the financial support of their parents,” he said.
