Malaysia to use Big Data to align housing supply with public needs

Malaysia's Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) will introduce Big Data Analytics, supported by Artificial Intelligence, starting next year to address mismatches between housing supply and actual public demand. Under the National Housing Policy 2026-2035, the initiative aims to shift the perception of housing from a market commodity to a fundamental human right.

Minister Nga Kor Ming stated that the data will be categorized by locality, region, and state to assist developers in conducting data-driven feasibility studies. This system will integrate data from state governments, local authorities, and KPKT to ensure that the types and price ranges of homes built align with local income realities rather than applying a uniform national rate.

Additionally, the ministry is addressing the issue of stalled and abandoned housing projects. A special task force has successfully rehabilitated 1,647 projects worth RM153 billion, affecting 200,000 buyers, over the last three years. Through the Madani housing reform, the government aims to eliminate abandoned projects by 2030. One proposed mechanism is the ‘Option to Purchase’ (OTP) clause, which allows developers or buyers to withdraw from a project within a specific period if it is deemed high-risk, ensuring buyers receive a 100 percent refund of their deposits plus bank interest.