RM38.29 billion houses sold since start of HOC

 

After the success of the home ownership campaign for first-time house buyers, the government will next focus on houses for those who have no evidence of a fixed income or are engaged in the gig economy, said Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

PETALING JAYA: A total of 82,201 units valued at more than RM38.29 billion have been sold during the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC) since it began in 2019 until this August, said Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

In a written parliamentary reply, the minister said first-time house buyers had enjoyed RM274 million in stamp duty exemption under the campaign.

“This initiative has helped reduce the initial cost associated with buying a home, especially for youths who are just starting their careers,” he said.

“The government will next focus on home ownership for those who have no evidence of a fixed income or who are engaged in the gig economy,” he said, adding that RM2 billion has been allocated to the Skim Jaminan Kredit Perumahan (SJKP) for the matter.

Tengku Zafrul was responding to a question from Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh, who wanted to know the number of properties sold under the HOC and the estimated stamp duty exemptions involved.

Introduced on Jan 1, 2019, the HOC is now scheduled to end on Dec 31.

Separately, tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri said her ministry has been allocated RM70 million to maintain tourism facilities in preparation for the opening of international borders.

In a written parliamentary reply, she said the sum would also be used for the conservation and preservation of heritage sites, buildings and projects.

Apart from 84 tourism facilities and infrastructure maintenance projects, the sum will also be used on 75 tourism, culture and heritage empowerment projects as well as six cultural village projects. - FMT