Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s property market is entering a new phase of sustainable growth, with a focus on balancing supply with actual demand to avoid repeating past boom-era mistakes, said Sulaiman Saheh, director of research and consultancy services at Rahim & Co International Property Consultants Sdn Bhd.

Sulaiman said the property market has experienced periods of intense growth over the past decade, where approvals and new launches often outpaced actual demand.

“We saw when the market was actually booming, there were a lot of approvals given, a lot of intensity in terms of launching new units, where the supply growth was a little detached from demand growth.

“This is where studies need to be conducted, not just by the developers, but by the financiers who are actually taking risks in giving out loans, as well as local authorities, as well as all the property players, and all the property players, be it consultants, developers and whatnot,” he told the media at the Rahim & Co Property Market Review 2025/2026 presentation Thursday.

Sulaiman said people’s borrowing capacity also increases as household income improves, but rising living costs continue to pose challenges for buyers securing loans.

“So that is why a lot of concerns about buyers getting loans are still a challenge.

“Measures implemented by Bank Negara Malaysia, including responsible financing guidelines, must continue to be observed. We want to avoid a situation where the market balloons uncontrollably,” he added.

Looking at the market as a whole, Sulaiman said buyer profiles must be assessed individually, as many are not on a regular salary.

“(For example), gig workers are actually making a lot of leeway, and these individuals are actively seeking opportunities. In the past, informal traders also generated substantial incomes, even if unrecorded.

“This is where regulation comes in. Agencies like Lembaga Hasil are using measures such as e-invoicing to monitor and ensure the sustainability of these income sources,” he added.