Budget 2019 Malaysia

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is tabling Budget 2019 in Parliament, the first federal budget by the Pakatan Harapan government.

The tabling of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2019 will commence before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, and will be debated by the Members of Parliament at the policy level from Nov 12 to 15.

It will be followed by the minister's answer sessions before the debate at the committee level from Nov 26 to Dec 6.

The Budget 2019 carries the theme "Credible Malaysia, Dynamic Economy, Prosperous Rakyat".

It focuses on institutional reforms, the people's wellbeing and promotion of entrepreneurial culture to recapture Malaysia's "Economic Tiger" status. 

What's in it for housing?

Below are Budget 2019 highlights for housing:

1. RM1.5bil to build and complete affordable homes under the People’s Housing Programme, Civil Servants Housing Project, PR1MA, and Syarikat Perumahan Nasional Bhd.

2. RM1bil fund to be set up by the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) for those earning under RM2,300 per month to buy affordable houses priced at RM150,000 and below. The fund will be made available for two years or until the fund is depleted through AmBank, CIMB Bank, Maybank, RHB Bank and BSN at an interest as low as 3.5%.

3. RM25mil will be allocated to Cagamas Berhad to prepare a mortgage guarantee (jaminan pajak gadai) to ensure that first time house buyers with a household income of up to RM5,000 will receive a higher financing, including for their deposit. This is expected to lower the cost between 7% and 11% for buyers, apart from the discounts given by developers.

4. Stamp duty exception for the first RM300,000 on the property transfer letter (surat cara pindah milik) and loan agreement for first time house buyers purchasing a house priced at a maximum of RM500,000 for two years until December 2020.

5. Financing under the Public Sector Home Financing Board (LPPSA) will be extended from 30 years to 35 years for first-time financing and 25 years to 30 years for second financing (pembiayaan kedua).

6. RM400 mil will be allocated to improve the living quarters of civil servants such as police and military personnel and teachers.

7. Government is suggesting on an exemption of stamp duty on property transfer letter for first house purchase for houses priced between RM300,001 and RM1mil for the period of six months starting from Jan 1, 2019. This will be part of the National House Ownership Campaign, of which developers have agreed to give a 10% discount to houses under existing projects.

8. Property crowdfunding platform will be allowed, which will be headed by the private sector. Overseen by the Securities Commission, it will allow house buyers to use peer-to-peer lending to finance their purchase.

9. Stamp duty rate for property transfers for properties priced at more than RM1mil increased from 3% to 4%.

10. For companies, non-citizens and non-PR holders, real property gains tax will be increased from 5% to 10%. For citizens and those with PR, real property gains tax will be increased form 0% to 5%.

source from The Star

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