PUTRAJAYA is looking at including a provision in its fair housing policy to curb elements of discrimination among tenants and landlords, said a top housing department official.

The policy is still in its infancy stage and is being worked on by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government based on a similar regulation in the United States known as the Fair Housing Act. 

Director-general of the National Housing Department Jayaseelan K. Navaratnam told The Malaysian Insight that tenancy based on race will fall under the category of discrimination. 

“For elements of race, we have to have a fair housing policy. We cannot put it in under an individual act,” Jayaselan said, adding that racial discrimination is not unique to the housing industry.

“We cannot narrow down and say that an act will solve the race-based (issues). We need a policy or a guiding principle to solve the problem.”

Acknowledging the criticism on the issue of landlords wanting to rent their properties to tenants of a particular race, Jayaselan said it is important to look at the bigger picture instead of just zooming into racial discrimination.

“Tenancy based on racial profile falls under the category of discrimination,” Jayaseelan told The Malaysian Insight.

“But discrimination is not only limited to race. It can also exist in the form of religious and economic status discrimination.

“We did not narrow it down to only race. We are looking at the bigger picture. Hence, (the) fair housing policy.”

The practice of landlords preferring tenants belonging to a certain ethic group came under much scrutiny lately. 

A recent study done by research firm YouGov Omnibus, found that 20% of Chinese respondents claim to have faced discrimination when trying to rent versus 18% of Malay respondents. For Indians, a whopping 46% of respondents said they have faced discrimination.

Jayaselan said the idea was mooted after taking into account the state of the property and housing markets in the country.

Putrajaya has to take careful consideration in developing the policy to ensure that all stakeholders are protected, he said.

The fair housing policy will cover both the rental market and ownership. It will include policies that protect both tenants and landlords. 

“The goal is a unitary housing or property market to streamline all existing laws and future laws related to property.

“This will give a big picture and standard practice in all states related to land, development and approval.

“This policy which will make it easier for developers, buyers and investors in Malaysia.” – April 26, 2019.