HBA skips Budget 2027 wishlist, urges enforcement of existing housing laws

The National House Buyers Association (HBA) will not submit a wishlist for Malaysia's Budget 2027, citing years of overlooked proposals on homebuyer protection and troubled projects. HBA urges the government to enforce existing housing laws more effectively rather than introducing new legislation.

PETALING JAYA (Sept 23): The National House Buyers Association (HBA) says it will not submit a wishlist for Budget 2027, arguing that its repeated proposals to protect homebuyers and prevent sick and abandoned housing projects have received insufficient attention.

HBA honorary secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong said the association had for years made recommendations on housing affordability, purchaser protection and troubled developments, but questioned whether another submission would receive meaningful consideration.

"We are giving up our wishlist," Chang said in a statement. He stressed that the decision did not mean homebuyers no longer needed protection.

HBA urged the government to enforce existing housing laws more effectively, prevent abandoned projects and improve affordability before introducing further legislation, regulations and procedures.

"Fix what is broken before creating something new," Chang said.

Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 9. The Finance Ministry has said it is seeking feedback and proposals from the public and stakeholders ahead of the Budget at www.mof.gov.my