HOUSING developers could soon choose the build-then-sell housing delivery system instead of the sell-then-build system, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said.

He said his ministry was planning to reduce the number of “sick’’ or delayed housing projects, adding that it would work with the Real Estate Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) to overcome the issue.

“I will discuss the new business model incentives with Rehda so developers can sell the new houses they build.

“This is so there will be no more abandoned projects in the future as (developers) are only allowed to sell completed (units),” he told the media after launching the Malaysia Property Expo (Mapex) 2023 in Kuala Lumpur today.

Nga said the ministry’s special task force revived 256 projects worth RM23.37 billion as of August this year.

“We managed to save a total of 28,863 buyers and we want to make sure there are no more abandoned projects,’’ he said, adding that 9,500 affordable housing units were close to completion under the 1Malaysia Housing Programme this year.

Nga said 17 out of 24 sick housing projects under his scrutiny have been restored.

Mapex 2023, which runs until Sunday at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, features 44 exhibitors, comprising developers, financial institutions and government agencies.

The ministry said it would organise Mapex 2024 with Rehda to boost the country’s property sector. – Bernama, October 27, 2023.